A devastating fire in the waning days of 2024 have left plans to convert the historic Morrison Hotel into low-income housing in jeopardy. But efforts to develop new apartments on the properties which wrap the more than century-old building remain intact.

View looking north from Pico BoulevardMVE + Partners

A presentation to the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council's Planning Committee offers a look at glossy new renderings of a proposed mixed-use development at 1220 S. Hope Street, where Los Angeles-based developer Relevant Group is seeking city approvals for the construction of a new eight-story edifice featuring 531 studio apartments atop 7,165 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and parking for 109 vehicles.

In exchange for density bonus incentives, granting relief from certain zoning rules, Relevant Group would be required to set aside 27 apartments for rent by very low-income households.

MVE + Partners is designing 1220 S. Hope Street, which would be a contemporary podium-type building with a black exterior accented with brick and wood panels. Renderings show multiple courtyards and a rooftop pool deck on the structure.

Aerial view looking southwestMVE + Partners

In a sign of the times, Relevant Group's current plans for the Morrison-adjacent property have been scaled back from what was pitched for the property prior to the pandemic. Relevant previously sought approvals for a project which would have framed the four-story Morrison with new structures rising 15- and 25- stories in height.

Follow us on social media: 

Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Threads / Instagram / Bluesky