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
| Jun 14, 2013
Purdue, industry partners test light steel framing for seismic safety
A partnership of leading earthquake engineering researchers from top U.S. and Canadian universities and design professionals from the steel industry have begun the final phase of a three-year project to increase the seismic safety of buildings that use lightweight cold-formed steel for their primary beams and columns.
| Jun 13, 2013
7 great places that represent excellence in environmental design
An adaptive reuse to create LEED Platinum offices, a park that honors veterans, and a grand national plaza are among the seven projects named winners of the 2013 Great Places Awards. The Environmental Design and Research Association recognize professional and scholarly excellence in environmental design, with special attention paid to the relationship between physical form and human activity or experience.
| Jun 13, 2013
Richard Smith joins Cannon Design Science + Technology practice
Cannon Design, an internationally ranked architectural, engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce Richard Smith has joined the firm as a Principal. Smith joins the leadership team for Cannon Design’s Science + Technology (S&T) practice and will focus on developing strategies for immediate and long-term growth.
| Jun 13, 2013
Winfrey hired as Health and S&T studio head for SmithGroupJJR Dallas
SmithGroupJJR, one of the nation’s largest architecture, engineering and planning firms, has hired David Winfrey, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, as leader of its Health and Science & Technology Studio at its Dallas, Texas office.
| Jun 13, 2013
WorkingBuildings acquires Specialty Operations Solutions
The WorkingBuildings Companies, a leading provider of comprehensive Owner-based solutions for the built environment, announces the acquisition of Specialty Operations Solutions (SOS), a national provider of research and laboratory services.
| Jun 13, 2013
Health Product Declaration Collaborative names Knott as Executive Director
John L. Knott Jr. has been named as the Health Product Declaration Collaborative’s (www.hpdcollaborative.org) first Executive Director following a national search. The Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) is a customer-led standards-setting organization committed to the continuous improvement of the building industry’s environmental and health performance, through transparency and innovation in the building product supply chain.
| Jun 13, 2013
AIA partners with industry groups to launch $30,000 'Designing Recovery' design competition
The program will award a total of $30,000 to three winning designs, divided equally between three locations: Joplin, Mo., New Orleans, and New York.
| Jun 12, 2013
More than 90% of New York City schools have code violations
More than 90% of New York City schools have at least one outstanding building code violation. Loose wires, stuck doors and inadequate ventilation are just some of the problems.
| Jun 12, 2013
5 building projects that put the 'team' in teamwork
The winners of the 2013 Building Team Awards show that great buildings cannot be built without the successful collaboration of the Building Team.
| Jun 12, 2013
Sacred synergy achieves goals for religious education [2013 Building Team Award winner]
A renovation/addition project at Columbia Theological Seminary unites a historic residence hall with a modern classroom facility.