A long-vacant retail store has been demolished in the West L.A.-Sawtelle area, the first signs of progress towards the construction of a new apartment building which will feature an automobile showroom at its ground level.

The project site, located at 11852 Santa Monica Boulevard, is approved for the construction of a four-story building featuring 39 residential units - including five priced for very low-income households - atop street-fronting commercial space and a three-level, 57-car basement parking garage.

Renderings of the project, which is being designed by Plus Architects, depict a contemporary low-rise structure featuring studio and one-bedroom dwellings and a rooftop deck.

The project is being developed by Kayvan Naimi, owner of Santa Monica Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, who intends to use the building's ground-floor commercial space as a new showroom for his dealership.

Demolition and building permits for the project were issued over one year ago, though inspection records indicate that work did not begin at 11852 Santa Monica Boulevard until February 2019.

The property is located just west of the former sites of two shuttered car dealerships, both of which have been redeveloped with apartments by CIM Group.