Site prep begins for 60-story tower at Olympic & Hill

Onni Group, the Canadian real estate development firm which has emerged as one of the most prolific builders in Downtown Los Angeles, has broken ground on the neighborhood's first high-rise building since the onset of the global pandemic.

The Vancouver-based developer recently closed off and razed a surface parking lot at the southeast corner of Olympic Boulevard and Hill Street, where the City of Los Angeles has approved the construction of a new 60-story tower featuring 700 apartments. The high-rise would sprout from a podium structure containing parking for more than 1,000 vehicles and 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

IBI Group is designing the contemporary glass-and-steel high-rise, which at 760 feet in height, would be the city's 4th tallest building if completed today, and its tallest residential tower.

"The similarity in appearance of the mullions on the top roof screen and the facade of the podium work to create a sense of cohesiveness between the top and bottom of the building," reads a design narrative submitted to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission in 2019.  "Angular shapes and forms including the balconies on the two sides of the building as well as the triangular shaped screen at the roof are used to create a dynamic impression."

In addition to its height, the Olympic and Hill development also achieves the rare distinction of fully masking its above-grade parking garage. Onni is planning to build apartments along the street-fronting perimeter of the garage, disguising it for passersby.

An environmental study conducted for the project estimated that construction of the tower would be completed over period of approximately 30 months.

Onni Group, which has completed four high-rise buildings in Downtown Los Angeles to date, is not done building in the neighborhood. The company has also secured approvals to construct two apartment towers at the former home of the Los Angeles Times, and another high-rise in the Arts District.

Outside of Downtown, Onni is planning new residential and office projects in Long Beach, Hollywood, and Mid-Wilshire.

• 1000 S Hill Street (Urbanize LA)