Plans for a large  apartment building near Metro's La Cienega/Jefferson Station in West Adams are being retooled using the citywide housing incentive program.

View looking southeast from La Cienega BoulevardDE Architects / Kevin Tsai Architecture

Back in 2020, applicant S.D. Abraham of Beverly Hills-based Entity Mesa Rim, LLC sought Transit Oriented Communities incentives from the City of Los Angeles to redevelop an approximately 1.5-acre site at 3200 S. La Cienega Boulevard with a seven-story building featuring 254 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments above a two-level, 242-car basement garage.

A new application filed by the same entity this week now calls for the construction of a larger, denser development on the same site. According to project findings, plans now call for a taller eight-story building containing 379 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments atop parking for 328 vehicles. As with the earlier filing, street-fronting townhome units would line the ground floor of the building.

View looking east from La Cienega BoulevardDE Architects / Kevin Tsai Architecture

Requested approvals include the approval of Transit Oriented Incentive Area bonuses to permit greater density and a reduction to required on-site open space, as well as waivers of limits on floor area and height. In exchange, 42 of the proposed apartments would be set aside for rent as extremely low-income affordable housing.

DE Architects is designing 3200 La Cienega, now working with Kevin Tsai Architecture. Renderings depict a similar design to what was proposed in 2020, including an exterior of fiber cement panels, cement plaster, and metal panels, with amenities such as recreation rooms, outdoor decks, and a fitness center.  Additionally, a sliver of land which abuts a utility corridor along the southern property line would be used as a dog park for residents.

3200 La Cienega BoulevardGoogle Maps

Despite its eight-story height, the proposed project is of a relatively low profile when compared to some of its neighbors. As of 2023, the 12-acre Cumulus District (featuring a 30-story tower) is complete across La Cienega Boulevard, as is the Eric Owen Moss-designed Wrapper office tower. The Habitat development - featuring mid-rise offices and apartments - remains under construction on a site abutting the La Cienega/Jefferson Metro station.

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