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
| Feb 11, 2011
Texas megachurch inspired by yesteryear’s materials, today’s design vocabulary
The third phase of The First Baptist Church of Pasadena, Texas, involves construction of a new 115,000-sf worship center addition. Currently in design by Zeigler Cooper, the project will include a 2,500-seat worship center (with circular layout and space for a 50-person orchestra and 200-person choir), a 500-seat chapel (for weddings, funerals, and special events), and a prayer room. The addition will connect to the existing church and create a Christian Commons for education, administration, music, and fellowship. The church asked for a modern design that uses traditional materials, such as stone, brick, and stained glass. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
| Feb 11, 2011
Apartment complex caters to University of Minnesota students
Twin Cities firm Elness Swenson Graham Architects designed the new Stadium Village Flats, in the University of Minnesota’s East Bank Campus, with students in mind. The $30 million, six-story residential/retail complex will include 120 furnished apartments with fitness rooms and lounges on each floor. More than 5,000 sf of first-floor retail space and two levels of below-ground parking will complete the complex. Opus AE Group Inc., based in Minneapolis, will provide structural engineering services.
| Feb 11, 2011
Four-story library at Salem State will hold half a million—get this—books!
Salem State University in Massachusetts broke ground on a new library and learning center in December. The new four-story library will include instructional labs, group study rooms, and a testing center. The modern, 124,000-sf design by Boston-based Shepley Bulfinch includes space for 500,000 books and study space for up to a thousand students. Sustainable features include geothermal heating and cooling, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures.
| Feb 11, 2011
Green design, white snow at Egyptian desert retail complex
The Mall of Egypt will be a 135,000-sm retail and entertainment complex in Cairo’s modern 6th of October district. The two-story center is divided into three themed zones—The City, which is arranged as a series of streets lined with retail and public spaces; The Desert Valley, which contains upscale department stores, international retailers, and a central courtyard for music and other cultural events; and The Crystal, which will include leisure and entertainment venues, including a cinema and indoor snow park. RTKL is designing the massive complex to LEED Silver standards.
| Feb 10, 2011
7 Things to Know About Impact Glazing and Fire-rated Glass
Back-to-basics answers to seven common questions about impact glazing and fire-rated glass.
| Feb 10, 2011
Medical Data Center Sets High Bar for BIM Design Team
The construction of a new data center becomes a test case for BIM’s ability to enhance project delivery across an entire medical campus.
| Feb 10, 2011
Zero Energy Buildings: When Do They Pay Off in a Hot and Humid Climate?
There’s lots of talk about zero energy as the next big milestone in green building. Realistically, how close are we to this ambitious goal? At this point, the strategies required to get to zero energy are relatively expensive. Only a few buildings, most of them 6,000 sf or less, mostly located in California and similar moderate climates, have hit the mark. What about larger buildings, commercial buildings, more problematic climates? Given the constraints of current technology and the comfort demands of building users, is zero energy a worthwhile investment for buildings in, for example, a warm, humid climate?
| Feb 9, 2011
Hospital Construction in the Age of Obamacare
The recession has hurt even the usually vibrant healthcare segment. Nearly three out of four hospital systems have put the brakes on capital projects. We asked five capital expenditure insiders for their advice on how Building Teams can still succeed in this highly competitive sector.
| Feb 9, 2011
Businesses make bigger, bolder sustainability commitments
In 2010, U.S. corporations continued to enhance their sustainable business efforts by making bigger, bolder, longer-term sustainability commitments. GreenBiz issued its 4th annual State of Green Business report, a free downloadable report that measures the progress of U.S. business and the economy from an environmental perspective, and highlights key trends in corporate culture in regard to the environment.
| Feb 8, 2011
AIA names 104 members to College of Fellows
The Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of architects as individuals, but also their significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.
