A new mixed-use development will soon take shape in the Los Angeles Arts District, bringing residents 347 live-work units and approximately 187,374 square feet of office space. The development is being proposed by Canadian development company Onni Group and is anticipated to begin later this year.
The project, located at 2143 E. Violet Street, will consist of a 36-story building linked to an office block by courtyards and pedestrian paths. According to plans submitted to the City, the total project area will reach 569,448 square feet, which will include the 96,523 square-foot residential tower, office block and 21,858 square feet of new commercial floor area.
“An animated pedestrian paseo winds through the site and separates the existing structures from the proposed new structures. This ‘art walk’ features wall-art and sculpture, and is lined with restaurants, shops and an artist exhibition center. Live/Work units, retail and office spaces create a complementary mix of uses that encompasses a more holistic view of user needs, and together reinforces each other for sustainable, localized urban living,” Arno Matis Architecture, which is designing the project, states on its website.
In addition, the development will include a 926 square-foot community room as well as 783 parking spaces in a six-level subterranean parking garage. Included in the residential tower will also be 18 units set aside for extremely low income households and 39 units set aside for very low income households.
With five existing buildings on site, approximately 56,686 square feet would also be retained for additional office, retail and restaurant space. An additional two buildings on site, which currently contain four live-work units, as well as two open sheds, will be demolished in order for construction of the development to take place.
Located in the Los Angeles Arts District, the property is near various industrial style buildings, storefronts and restaurants. In addition, the project is just southeast of Downtown Los Angeles and in close proximity to both Interstates 10 and 5 as well as State Road 110.
According to Arno Matis Architecture, the project plays on the neighborhood’s industrial and graffitied style, with the facade of the residential building created to look like stacked palettes. The building’s bold and repetitive geometric shapes also are intended to mimic the look of graffiti art, according to the architecture firm.
“From its importance as an industrial center, to its emergence as an art-centered live/work community, the Arts District continues to increase its presence as a neighborhood that will re-shape the downtown of Los Angeles. On this site, the opportunity exists to meet evolving land-use needs by introducing creative living and working spaces,” Arno Matis states on its website.
In addition to the new mixed-use project, Onni Group has constructed over 15,000 new homes as well 11.5 million square feet of office, retail and industrial space in the company’s 50 year history. The real estate development company also manages more than 7,200 rental apartments and currently has 28 million square feet of space in different phases of development. Based in Canada, the company develops properties across North America, with locations including Los Angeles, Toronto, Seattle, Vancouver, Phoenix and more.
Neither Onni Capital Group nor Arno Matis Architecture responded in time to comment on this story.
