West Los Angeles-based Cypress Equity Investments is now excavating the underground parking levels for a new mixed-use project near the Expo Line in Downtown Santa Monica.

The four-story development, which replaced a former Aaron Brothers store at 1641 Lincoln Boulevard, will offer 66 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and approximately 5,300 square feet of ground-floor retail space.  Plans also call for a three-level, 93-car underground parking structure, as well as amenities such as a landscaped roof deck.

KFA Architecture's design for the project took inspiration from the passenger rail line that runs nearby, with upper floors intended to resemble boxcars and rails.  Its exterior finishes will include board-formed concrete, reclaimed wood siding, metal panels, and textured glass.

Completion of 1641 Lincoln is expected in late 2019.

A handful of similar mixed-use developments are either planned or underway along the surrounding stretch of Lincoln Boulevard, including the first phase of a two-building, 280-unit development a short distance north at Colorado Avenue.

Across Lincoln, work is also underway for a 64-unit affordable housing development and a 100-unit market rate project.