L.A. City Council signs off on Arts District's 676 Mateo development

Six years after it was initially proposed, a project that would redevelop a property at 676 S. Mateo Street in the Arts District has received the approval of the Los Angeles City Council.

Yesterday, the Council voted to adopt the findings of an environmental impact report relating to plans from Maxxam Enterprises to replace a 1970s warehouse between Mateo and Imperial Streets with a new a new eight-story building that could feature up to 185 live/work apartments - including 21 very low-income affordable units - above approximately 23,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and art production space. Parking for up to 221 vehicles would be provided on three subterranean levels.

Alternatively, Maxxam could cut the number of live/work apartments to 159 to allow an increase in the amount of on-site commercial space to 46,000 square feet. This option would retain the same building envelope.

HansonLA is designing 676 Mateo, which is highlighted by a sculptural element described on the architect's website as the "puppydog." The building, intended as a visual terminus to Industrial Street, would rise approximately 116 feet in height and feature an exterior of brick. Plans call for street-level pedestrian paseos on both the northern and southern property lines, providing access to an interior courtyard. Other amenities would include a rooftop pool deck, a fitness room, and production space.

According to the environmental impact report, construction is expected to occur over an approximately 24-month period. 

The vote to approve a zone change, a general plan amendment, and other entitlements for the project came against an appeal from the Coalition of Responsible Equitable Economic Development - or CREED LA - which argued that the now-adopted environmental impact report insufficiently analyzed potential issues such as construction noise and greenhouse gas emissions.  CREED LA echoed similar arguments it made in an appeal last year to the City Planning Commission, which was also rejected.

The 676 Mateo development is one of two live/work projects planned by Maxxam in the Arts District.  The Beverly Hills-based firm's second project, also designed by HansonLA, would rise at the intersection of 5th and Seaton Streets.

• 676 S Mateo Street (Urbanize LA)