After a three-year hiatus, Walter N. Marks, Inc., a prominent developer, is breathing new life into a proposed high-rise apartment tower in the bustling Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. Late last month, the Los Angeles Department of City Planning released an initial study for the Mirabel development, which is set to replace a 1930s commercial building at 5411 Wilshire Boulevard. This ambitious project envisions a striking 42-story tower housing 348 studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with parking facilities for 309 vehicles.
What sets this development apart is its reliance on density bonus incentives, allowing for more floor area than permitted under existing zoning rules, according to a recent report in Urbanize LA. In return, the project commits to designating 29 apartments as very low-income affordable housing, contributing to the city’s ongoing efforts to address housing affordability challenges.
Compared to the original proposal, this iteration of the Mirabel tower represents a slight reduction in density, scaling down from 371 to 348 apartments. This adjustment is a direct result of shifting from incentives offered by the Transit Oriented Communities guidelines to the state’s density bonus program, the report stated.
The architectural firm Keating Architecture is spearheading the design of 5411 Wilshire. The tower’s distinctive glass exterior and graceful, amorphous form are expected to soar to approximately 530 feet in height. A narrative accompanying the initial study describes the project’s architectural vision as an interpretation of the Streamline Moderne style, paying homage to nearby Miracle Mile buildings with a unique curvilinear tower and structural innovation. The tower’s setback from the podium edges aims to minimize street-level massing, while the design incorporates material variation, horizontal design elements, and Art Deco-inspired canopied entryways.
One notable feature of the project is its integration of a local Art Deco landmark: the former Sontag Drug Store, located at the corner of Wilshire and Cloverdale Avenue. This historic building will be preserved as ground-floor retail space within Mirabel’s podium, with modern amenities situated above.
Anticipated timelines indicate a construction period of roughly 36 months, with the project slated for completion in 2027. This marks a delay from the original 2019 estimate, which had projected completion by 2023.
While the Mirabel tower is set to rise prominently in the neighborhood, it is not the only high-rise on the horizon for Miracle Mile. The Onni Group is concurrently navigating the entitlement process for a similar 46-story tower, positioned at the opposite corner of Wilshire and Cloverdale.
Walter N. Marks, Inc., recognized as the owner of the Helms Bakery District, has expanded its footprint into ground-up development in various parts of Los Angeles. In addition to the Mirabel project, the company has proposed a more modest mixed-use residential development for a parking lot situated across Venice Boulevard from the iconic Helms complex.
