Uncommon Developers recently submitted plans for a seven-story, 123-unit apartment complex to be constructed on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. The proposed Transit Oriented Communities project is set to occupy the intersection of West Sunset and North Gardner Street, a few blocks south of L.A.’s popular Runyon Canyon Park and several blocks east of West Hollywood’s renowned Sunset Strip.
Located at 7437-7445 West Sunset Boulevard and 1504-11512 North Gardner Street, this particular stretch of the famous boulevard encompasses a mix of glamour, featuring establishments like Horses Restaurant, as well as areas that require improvement. It is an area in Hollywood that is poised for an increase in multifamily developments, as several new projects have already begun to emerge a few blocks to the east, according to a report by The Real Deal.
In line with the city’s vision of promoting higher population density, Los Angeles officials approved a zoning update for Hollywood in May, allowing for the creation of 35,000 new housing units. Capitalizing on this opportunity, an executive from Uncommon filed the project application on July 11. While the full plans have yet to be registered with the Planning Department, the development firm intends to demolish three existing commercial buildings and surface parking lots to make way for their seven-story complex. As per the requirements of L.A.’s Transit Oriented Communities program, which offers zoning bonuses for projects near public transit, the apartment complex would include affordable housing units.
Property records reveal that an entity connected to Uncommon purchased the land in December as part of a multi-parcel deal with a Colorado-based investment company. The acquisition price was reported to be $12.9 million.
The Sunset Boulevard apartments, designed by Works Progress Architecture, will feature a ground-floor common room, a terrace courtyard located on the third floor, and a rooftop sky deck complete with a pool.
“The proposed seven-story mixed-use complex would be built in a contemporary style with large arches at ground level along the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Gardner Street to break up the massing of the building and allow for light and visual access into the primary entry court,” stated the project application. “Proposed building materials include white limestone, cement plaster, brushed aluminum metal railings, and large storefront windows to provide visual interest along the facade.”
Situated opposite Greystar’s recently completed Rae on Sunset apartments, a residential-retail complex comprising 200 units, the proposed project occupies a prominent location. The 7441 Sunset property, as well as the nearby site of the new development, bear visible traces of their historical association with the former Pacific Electric Railway. This iconic Red Car system once featured the Hollywood Line and Laurel Canyon Shuttle, which intersected at the junction of Sunset and Gardner.
In addition to their Hollywood project, Uncommon is collaborating with Works Progress Architecture on multiple ventures. This includes over 200 apartments in Chatsworth and a forthcoming complex in Van Nuys, which is planned to encompass 405 units.
Uncommon Developers, led by Ryan Hekmat and Jason Larian, also has other ongoing projects in Chatsworth, the Fairfax District, and East Hollywood. Ryan Hekmat and Jason Larian are the son and son-in-law, respectively, of Isaac Larian, the billionaire toymaker and CEO of MGA Entertainment based in Chatsworth.
