This week, the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board took its first look at 3030 Nebraska, developer WS Communities' proposed residential-retail complex near the Expo Line's Bergamot Station.

The project, named for its address at 3030 Nebraska Avenue, would replace a handful of small industrial buildings with a four-story structure featuring 190 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments - including nine units of affordable housing - and ground-floor retail uses.  Plans also call for five levels of subterranean construction, which would contain 87,000 square feet of office space and parking for up to 475 vehicles.

Michael W. Folonis Architects is designing the low-rise structure, which would be clad with materials such as stucco, concrete, and aluminum.  The project would also incorporate a number of open space amenities, including a gym and a central courtyard.

A timeline for the project has not been revealed.  This is the Architectural Review Board's first look at the project, after which the body will make recommendations to the applicant and the Santa Monica Planning Commission.

Just north of 3030 Nebraska, the Houston-based Dinerstein Cos. is now in the midst of construction for the similar Millennium Santa Monica development on Colorado Avenue, which is replacing a former trailer park with 356 apartments and retail.

WS Communities, which is based out of Santa Monica, is a new entity created to manage the properties formerly controlled by NMS Properties, one of the city's most prolific multifamily developers.