At its meeting on March 8, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission is scheduled to consider developer Kiwi Neman's proposal to construct a unique mixed-use development in Beverly Grove.

Slated for a property at 488 San Vicente Boulevard, the project will consist of a seven-story edifice featuring 54 dwelling units atop 5,651 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and three levels of basement parking for 79 vehicles.  Plans also call for five units of very-low-income housing and five units of moderate-income housing.

R&A Architecture + Design is designing the mid-rise structure which, due to the City's transitional height requirements, features a series of terraces facing toward its eastern property line.  The stepped building heights will be used to create open space for residents.  Additional terrace decks and inset balconies are planned facing 5th Street and San Vicente Boulevard, respectively.

The Department of City Planning's staff report recommends that the Commission approve the 488 San Vicente development.  As currently proposed, the mid-rise structure will require the approval of several off-menu density bonus incentives in exchange for providing subsidized affordable housing.

The project site is located five blocks south of 3rd Street, where the Beverly Center is in now in the midst of a $500-million remodel and developer Rick Caruso has plans to construct a 16-story residential-retail tower.

To the south at Wilshire and La Cienega Boulevards, Metro is now building the final station in phase one of the Purple Line extension, which will link Downtown Los Angeles to the Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills and Century City through a heavy-rail subway.

Other developments now taking shape in the Beverly Grove neighborhood include a five-story, 35-unit development on Doheny Drive; a six-story, 58-unit project planned on Beverly Boulevard; an 18-story apartment tower at Wilshire and Crescent Heights Boulevard; and a 12-story Four Seasons-branded condo building at 3rd Street and Wetherly Drive.