KTGY Group announced that construction is under way on Olympic & Olive, a new 201-unit mixed-use rental community in downtown Los Angeles, developed by Miami-based Lennar Multifamily Communities. Designed by KTGY, the contemporary 1.08-acre development is located in the South Park neighborhood on the southwest corner of Olympic Boulevard and Olive Street and is Lennar’s first project in Downtown Los Angeles. Olympic & Olive is slated for completion in summer 2016.
The new urban residential community at 1001 S. Olive Street will offer open floor plans consisting of 64 studios, 109 one bedroom units, and 28 two-bedroom units, ranging in size from approximately 500 square feet to 1,100 square feet.
"This development continues the trend of more residential units in the historic downtown LA core," said KTGY Principal David Senden. "Like most developments downtown these days, we’re focusing on Gen Y and their preferences."
According to Senden, the amenity spaces in this residential community will be special. "With a big clubroom space spilling out to a beautiful pool and sundeck on level three and a roof terrace and outdoor kitchen at level seven, there are a host of gathering places and interesting spots to entertain or relax. The ground floor level has 4,000 square feet of retail targeted for a restaurant that will cater to this demographic," Senden said.
The development also features 12 two-story "loft-style" apartment units on the ground floor along Olive Street that feature individual walk-up entries with direct access from Olive Street, private patios, and landscaped courtyards. Access for the residential units will be located on the east side of the community along Olive Street and will flow into the residential lobby for residents and visitors. Also on the ground floor are the leasing office, residential elevator lobby, mail room, bicycle storage area.
"Unlike other developments, the community offers townhomes running along Olive Street, allowing residents to have direct access from the sidewalk," said Senden. "In addition to the restaurant space, these townhome units will hide the parking garage and make for a friendly pedestrian experience."
The third level features a lushly-landscaped central courtyard along Olive Street that includes a pool, spa and seating areas, two additional courtyards, and two large resident amenity spaces, including a 1,500- square-foot fitness center.
"An extensive use of different varieties of metal on the skin of the building will set this building apart from other buildings of this type downtown that rely primarily on stucco as their cladding material," said Senden. "Oversized curtains on the exterior of the amenity's space add a bit of whimsy along with shading the large expanses of glass from the southerly sun."
Overall, the project design includes nearly 22,000 square feet of open space. Two above-grade levels of parking and one subterranean level are planned, providing a total of 228 spaces. The community will also have parking for 221 bikes.
“Really, it’s all about lifestyle. Even though this development is located in the heart of downtown, we want residents to feel like they have a respite from that hustle and bustle when they get home. It should be their sanctuary,” said Senden.
Related Stories
| Oct 30, 2013
15 stellar historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovation projects
The winners of the 2013 Reconstruction Awards showcase the best work of distinguished Building Teams, encompassing historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and renovations and additions.
| Oct 30, 2013
11 hot BIM/VDC topics for 2013
If you like to geek out on building information modeling and virtual design and construction, you should enjoy this overview of the top BIM/VDC topics.
| Oct 29, 2013
Increased backlogs, margins lead to renewed optimism in global construction
After prolonged economic uncertainty, a majority of executives in the global engineering and construction sector have fresh confidence in the growth prospects for the industry, according to KPMG International's 2013 Global Construction Survey. A general increase in backlogs and margins is giving cause for optimism across the industry, with further growth anticipated.
| Oct 29, 2013
BIG opens subterranean Danish National Maritime Museum [slideshow]
BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) has completed the Danish National Maritime Museum in Helsingør. By marrying the crucial historic elements with an innovative concept of galleries and way-finding, BIG’s renovation scheme reflects Denmark's historical and contemporary role as one of the world's leading maritime nations.
| Oct 28, 2013
Urban growth doesn’t have to destroy nature—it can work with it
Our collective desire to live in cities has never been stronger. According to the World Health Organization, 60% of the world’s population will live in a city by 2030. As urban populations swell, what people demand from their cities is evolving.
| Oct 28, 2013
Metal roofs are topping more urban dwellings
Given their durability and ease of use, metal roofs have been a common feature on rural houses for decades. Now they’re becoming an increasingly popular choice on urban dwellings as well.
| Oct 25, 2013
Hoffmann Architects announces launch of U.S. Capitol Dome restoration
The Architect of the Capitol will undertake comprehensive restoration of the 150-year-old cast iron Dome, which has not undergone a complete restoration since 1959-1960.
| Oct 23, 2013
AIA: Crowd-funding shows promise for financing real estate projects
The American Institute of Architects issued a statement on the SEC's recent 5-0 vote to propose rules aimed at letting startups tap large numbers of ordinary investors for small amounts of capital.
| Oct 23, 2013
Gehry, Foster join Battersea Power Station redevelopment
Norman Foster and Frank Gehry have been selected to design a retail section within the £8 billion redevelopment of Battersea Power Station in London.
| Oct 23, 2013
Some lesser-known benefits of metal buildings
While the durability of metal as a construction material is widely recognized, some of its other advantages are less commonly acknowledged and appreciated.