A year-and-a-half after puchasing two develoment sites near Hollywood & Highland, Mill Creek Residential Trust has started construction on a long-delayed residential-retail complex.  Heavy equipment is now on site at 1600 N. Highland Avenue and 1600 N. McCadden Place, and protective barriers are in place along Selma Avenue.

The properties are slated for two buildings, each of which would rise six stories and offer a combined total of 210 residential units, according to filings with the Los Angeles Deppartment of Building and Safety.  The building fronting Highland Avenue would also offer approximately 12,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

These specifications indicate that Mill Creek Residential has opted for a smaller project than entitled by Champion Real Estate Company, which had called for a total of 248 apartments.  The original proposal was designed by KFA Architecture, although it is unclear whether or not they are still involved with the project.

Grading permits were issued for the mixed-use development last week.  An exact timeline for the project is unclear.

This is the first of two Mill Creek developments planned for Hollywood, the other being a seven-story development at Selma and Argyle Avenues.