Earlier this year, the Culver City City Council voted to issue a request for proposals seeking redevelopment options for the former Martin B. Retting gun shop property at 11029 Washington Boulevard. Presentations scheduled for review at the September 24 meeting of the Culver City Planning Commission reveal five submissions for the site - all of which would feature affordable housing.
West Hollywood Community Housing submission, looking northwestEYRC
Washington Palms, submitted by West Hollywood Community Housing, calls for redeveloping the site with a seven-story structure containing 67 units of affordable housing, as well as ground-level artist lofts and a community art center.
EYRC Architects is designing the proposal, which has a wedge-shape in the form of the iconic Culver Hotel, and would employ off-site modular construction.
"The massing responds to the site’s angled geometry with two single-loaded residential wings, stepping down to integrate smoothly with the residential neighborhood," reads a design narrative included with the presentation. "The Washington Boulevard wing is articulated with a clearly defined base, middle, and top that ground the building within its context. Its simple yet elegant form is animated by a finely articulated façade, breaking down the scale of the building and adding depth and rhythm to enrich both the streetscape and the pedestrian experience."
According to the presentation, the apartments are to come in a mix of one and two-bedroom floor plans, reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income level. The estimated cost of the project is $50.2 million, or approximately $749,000 per unit.
Venice Community Housing submission, looking northPractice
Culver Commons, which was submitted by Venice Community Housing Corp., would be a six-story structure consisting 42 units of senior affordable housing with a community gallery and retail space on the ground floor. Plans call for a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom dwellings, priced for households earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income level. Monthly rents are estimated at between $795 per month for a studio unit and as much as $2,044 per month for a two-bedroom unit.
Practice is designing Culver Commons, according to the presentation.
"Located at the terminus of Huron Avenue and fronting one of Culver City’s most prominent streets - Washington Boulevard- the building is conceived as a neighborhood anchor," reads a narrative. "Along Washington Boulevard, its active ground floor, public-facing uses, and transparent façades create a civic presence that announces arrival into a vibrant mixed-use district. At the same time, massing steps down toward Huron Avenue, ensuring a respectful scale transition to the adjacent residential neighborhood."
The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $33.8 million, or just over $804,000 per unit.
Decro Corp. submission, looking westLOHA
Culver City-based developer Decro Corporation has also tossed its hat into the ring with plans submitting plans for a five-story structure which would include 37 residential units - including 36 affordable units and one manager's apartment - as well as community and commercial space at the ground level. Plans call for a mix of studio and one-bedroom dwellings, which would be reserved for senior households earning between 30 and 50 percent of the area median income level.
LOHA is designing the building, which would be highlighted by 5,800 square feet of publicly-accessible landscape terrace decks, which would lead upward along a staircase starting from Washington Boulevard at the eastern side of the property.
"Within its commercial context in Culver City, our proposal for Washington Blvd introduces a primary frontage of multi-family housing, generous community areas, and a network of green spaces," states a narrative. "The Washington Blvd Housing and Vertical Park project celebrates the neighborhood’s vibrancy, weaving the urban fabric into the building mass along the boulevard."
The estimated cost of the project is $29.9 million, or approximately $808,000 per unit.
Develop With Skill / Better Angels
Develop With Skill submission, looking northDesign With Skill
Develop With Skill, affiliated with South Pasadena-based architecture firm Design With Skill, has teamed with Better Angels on a proposal calling for the construction of a seven-story, 83-unit affordable housing development catering to community college students.
The modular apartment building, would also include ground-floor commercial and community-serving spaces, as well as parking for 27 vehicles.
Design With Skill's plan for the site calls for it be built with prefabricated modular units manufactured by Model Z.
According to the presentation, the estimated cost of the submission is $24.9 million, or just under $300,000 per residential unit. The team believes it can use private financing, as well as Measure LA bond proceeds, to deliver the project.
Eleos submission, looking northeastKevin Tsai Architecture
West Hollywood-based development firm Eleos has submitted a plan calling for the construction of a five-story, podium-type apartment building on the property featuring 68 apartments and ground-floor commercial space, amenities, and community space. Plans call for a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments serving households earning between 50 and 80 percent of the area median income level.
Kevin Tsai Architecture is designing the project, which would be centered on a landscaped courtyard.
"The project employs a triangular-shaped typology that ensures all apartments receive natural sunlight and cross-ventilation," reads a narrative. "This reduces dependence on artificial lighting, heating, and cooling, while fostering indoor environmental quality. The geometry also creates opportunities for shared outdoor areas, including an elevated green patio, providing residents with a landscaped retreat above the street level.
Eleos estimates their project would cost $21.6 million to complete, or $317,844 per unit.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Threads / Instagram / Bluesky
- Culver City (Urbanize LA)
Looking for affordable housing? Visit lahousing.lacity.org/aahr and housing.lacounty.gov
