Following on from recent City of Los Angeles’ rezoning initiatives, a local developer, Akhilesh Jha, has filed an application for a mixed-use project at 1026 N. Wilmington Blvd., known as Wilmington Manor.
As the application filed on Oct. 4 states, Jha’s eight-story building is set to replace three existing structures, creating a mixed-used space that will consist of 120 one- and two-bedroom dwellings, catering to a range of residents, according to a recent report by Urbanize Los Angeles. On the ground floor, there will be approximately 2,300 square feet of commercial space and 121 parking spaces.
Jha is reportedly seeking density bonus incentives to construct a larger structure than zoning regulations would typically permit. In return, the developer has committed to pricing 12 of the new homes for very low-income households. In a rental-dominated market, the proposed development will primarily consist of for-sale housing.
S.K. Architects, a renowned architectural firm, is entrusted with the design of Wilmington Manor. The project’s plans showcase an O-shaped footprint and a white stucco exterior, with a central courtyard that would provide space for relaxation, while co-working facilities and a business center would cater to the needs of professionals and entrepreneurs living in the development, adds the report.
Some of Jha’s previous developments, including a 45-apartment complex in Sylmar and a mixed-use building in Harvard Heights, have faced challenges from both planning authorities and neighbors due to their scale and design. The proposed Wilmington project could follow in this tradition, as the project’s plans included a structure that would rise above its immediate neighbors.
If approved, this project aligns with the city’s commitment to rezoning for more than 250,000 new residential units, a key aspect of its housing element, previously covered by The Registry. The updated plans have the potential to accommodate approximately 47,000 new homes, a notable increase from just over 36,000 in 2019. The majority of these new residences will form part of multifamily developments rather than individual single-family houses.
The Registry also recently reported the City of Los Angeles planning officials’ new focus on the development proposals for areas neighboring the Port of Los Angeles, including Wilmington. The growth will primarily be concentrated within designated “Opportunity Areas,” which encompass around six percent of the total land area covered by the plans. In these areas, new zoning regulations will permit increased allowable building height, floor area and density compared to the existing conditions.
