A series of mid-century retail buildings on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica is poised to make way for a small mixed-use development.
The proposed development, slated for the southeast corner of Wilshire and Berkeley Street, could consist of approximately 6,400 square feet of ground-floor retail and restaurant space, accompanied by six residential units and a private garden courtyard.
Howard Laks Architects is designing the project, which would be highlighted by a curved copper roof facing Wilshire, and a translucent glass facade wrapping the two-story residential units.
The Santa Monica Planning Department granted approval for the proposed development in December 2020. Construction is poised to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021 and conclude in Spring 2023, according to Laks, who also designed the new Santa Monica Proper Hotel.
Los Angeles County Assessor's records list the owner of the property as United El Segundo, a Gardena-based company best known as an operator of chain of gas stations.
The development site is located a few blocks west of the intersection of Wilshire and Centinela Avenue, where Cypress Equity Investments is planning a larger mixed-use project at the former site of an Aahs! retail store.
- Santa Monica (Urbanize LA)