Work beginning for affordable housing at 711 S. New Hampshire Ave. in Koreatown

Work is set to begin for a new affordable housing complex near Wilshire/Vermont Station in Koreatown, Morley Builders recently announced via social media.

View looking southwest from 7th Street and New Hampshire AvenueKTGY

The project from San Francisco-based developer Bridge Housing Corp., which will rise at 711 S. New Hampshire, calls for redeveloping a portion of the home of Children's Institute International, Inc. Plans call for the adaptive reuse of the Children's Institute's existing Renaissance Revival home, which completed in 1911, and the construction of a new six-story apartment building next door. The full project will create 95 residential units, half of which would be reserved as permanent supportive housing.

KTGY is designing the project, which will separate the new podium-type building from the adjoining structure with open space.

"The design of the new apartment building complements the architecture of the mansion in both color and material and establishes a campus-like environment. A ground-floor covered breezeway traverses a middle courtyard and connects the two buildings," reads a design narrative from the KTGY website. "The lower levels of the new building pull forward and out to engage the street and frame a new entry court off of the existing building. The podium massing matches the height of the mansion and is clad in a similar brick texture with a contemporary take on the window openings and detailing. The upper levels step back to respect the space around the mansion and are clad in a more modern stucco texture with angular-framed window openings. An inner courtyard sanctuary is revealed between both buildings to provide a space for self-reflection and meditation."

View looking west from New Hampshire AvenueKTGY