Just east of the intersection of 1st and Alameda Streets in the Arts District, local real estate development firm Boulevard Partners has completed work on the neighborhood's latest mixed-use apartment complex.

Named for its address at 107 S. Hewitt Street, the project consists of a six-story building featuring 69 apartments atop 14,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Per a project website, that total includes a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans.

View looking east from 1st StreetRIOS

The project was planned in accordance with the Transit Oriented Communities guidelines, which permits exemptions from certain zoning rules due to its location in close proximity to the Little Tokyo/Arts District Metro station, as well as several bus lines. In exchange for the incentives, Boulevard Partners will set aside eight apartments as deed-restricted affordable housing.

Rios designed 107 Hewitt, which closely resembles a series of conceptual renderings unveiled in June 2022. The complex is composed of two blocks of wood frame construction above a concrete podium, arranged in a V-shape that leaves space for a courtyard at the center.

"107 Hewitt draws from the utilitarian buildings that previously existed in the area," reads a design narrative posted to the Rios website. In contrast to its subtle exterior, the design creates welcoming moments with lush plantings, circulation patterns that support the use of public transportation, and connections to the neighboring Arts District community."

View looking southeast from 1st StreetUrbanize LA

In addition to the aforementioned rail stop, the project site also sits one block to the east of the new Alameda Esplanade, the headlining component of an effort from Metro and the City of Los Angeles to improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in blocks of Little Tokyo and the Arts District which surround the Metro stop. Likewise, Metro and the City are looking to coordinate on a potential redevelopment of the property directly above the new subway station and the neighboring Mangrove site to the northeast.

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