Prolific Santa Monica developer WS Communities is planning another mixed-use project in the city's Downtown, according to items presented to the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board.

The latest project, which would replace a one-story commercial building at 501 Broadway, calls for the construction of an eight-story edifice featuring 94 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments - including 19 affordable units - above 7,260 square feet of ground-floor retail space and a two-level, 51-car basement parking garage.

Michael W. Folonis Architects is designing 501 Broadway, which is described in a staff report as "modern corner project," with a three-story pedestrian plaza anchored by V-shaped columns.  Floor plans show a central courtyard at the building's second level and a rooftop patio.

This is a preliminary presentation to the Architectural Review Board to solicit feedback.  Additional hearings are set for future dates.

The project site sits directly across the street from a currently vacant lot at 500 Broadway, where a larger seven-story complex featuring 249 apartments and ground-floor retail is approved to begin construction.  Though work was slated to begin last summer, a groundbreaking has yet to occur.

WS Communities, a successor to NMS Properties, has numerous projects in the entitlement stage throughout Downtown Santa Monica, and is currently building a 100-unit apartment complex at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Colorado Avenue.