A short walk south of Melrose Avenue in Virgil Village, Culver City-based Continental Development Group, LLC has razed a former laundromat to clear the way for construction of a mixed-use apartment building.

View looking southwest from Virgil AvenueKevin Tsai Architecture

The project, filed with the Planning Department for review in late 2019, is slated for a site located at 611 N. Virgil Avenue. Approved plans call for the construction of a five-story structure featuring 30 apartments on its upper floors above approximately 1,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and podium parking for 21 vehicles.

Continental entitled the project for construction using Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit increased density, floor area, and height relative to zoning restrictions for the property. In exchange, three of the new apartments will be set aside as deed-restricted affordable housing at the extremely low-income level.

Kevin Tsai Architecture is designing 611 Virgil, which would incorporate a mix of two- and three-bedroom dwellings, as well as amenities including common rooms and outdoor decks.

"Grand vaulted spaces on the upper levels lend for a playful pitched roof design," reads a design narrative posted to the architecture firm's website. Metal paneling and clear glazing juxtapose wooden slats on the exterior façade giving the building an elegant yet natural aesthetic. The custom slat patterning of the wood adds warmth and sophistication, while providing a natural flow throughout the building. A large roof terrace features an open amenity area for the residents providing a feel of community.

Aerial view looking southeastKevin Tsai Architecture

Continental Development has also received approvals to build a slightly larger mixed-use project with 37 apartments and retail a short walk north at the intersection of Melrose and Virgil. The two projects will follow in the wake of a similar residential-retail building recently completed by 4Site Real Estate at the same intersection.