As is tradition, the construction cranes have made their annual return to the blocks surrounding Metro's La Cienega/Jefferson Station.

A pair of tower cranes now stand high above the former site of a Public Storage facility at 3401 S. La Cienega Boulevard in Baldwin Hills, where Lendlease and Aware Super commenced work last year on a mixed-use development known as Habitat. Plans call for two buildings featuring a combined total of 260 apartments and 253,000 square feet of office space above parking for 700 vehicles.

Aerial view looking southwestHunter Kerhart Architectural Photography

The project was approved with density bonus incentives to permit a larger residential building than would normally be allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, plans call for 22 units of deed-restricted very low-income affordable housing. Lendlease has also agreed to set aside an additional 7 apartments as workforce housing.

Shop Architects is designing the project (its first in Los Angeles), with Steinberg Hart serving as architect of record. Plans call for a 12-story residential building and a six-story office building, both featuring terrace decks that will serve as balconies and amenity spaces for tenants. Roughly one acres of open space is planned at ground-level, opening onto the adjoining bike trail.

Completion of Habitat is expected in 2025.

Aerial view of 3401 La Cienega looking northSHoP Architects

Habitat is the third large mixed-use project to break ground in close proximity to La Cienega/Jefferson Station, following the Cumulus District from Carmel Partners, a 12-acre complex consisting of more than 1,200 apartments and a Whole Foods Market, and the 17-story Wrapper office tower from Samitaur and Eric Owen Moss Architects.

More projects are set to follow. The area's future construction pipeline includes a 254-unit apartment complex planned on the opposite side of La Cienega Boulevard and a series of office buildings proposed by Kilroy Realty Corp. and Lincoln Property Company.

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