The Laurel wraps up at 1413 Michigan Avenue in Santa Monica

Just south of the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica's Pico neighborhood, construction is in the home stretch for The Laurel, a new affordable housing complex from developer EAH Housing.

Located on the former site of Santa Monica Nikkei Hall at 1413 Michigan Avenue, the project includes a total of 58 residential units - including 57 apartments for low-income formerly homeless renters, plus one manager's unit. Those apartments, all in studio floor plans, are to be set aside for rent at levels considered affordable to households earning between 30 and 50 percent of the Santa Monica area median income level, through a deal arranged by the city in 2020.

View looking east from 14th StreetLivia Cavallo/KFA Architecture

KFA Architecture is designing The Laurel, which consists of wood-frame construction and stands four stories in height. A C-shaped footprint provides space at the ground level for a courtyard, with other features including a patio on the second floor, a community deck on the third floor, and 12 parking spaces located at street level. EAH has retained several elements of the former Nikkei Hall, including its community center, original windows, an entry porch, and woodwork. Additionally, the property's Japanese garden is being restored.

Other EAH Housing projects recently built in Santa Monica include the Magnolia Villas, as well as a larger development planned for the former site of Parking Lot 3 in Downtown.

Construction of The LaurelCarter Rubin