Rendering: KFA Architecture
In December of last year, the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board held a preliminary design review of 701 Colorado Avenue, a planned mixed-use development featuring 59 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. The Board members sent WS Communities and KFA Architecture back to the drawing board, lamenting that “the building must have its own design identity.”
The development and architectural team presented an updated version of the infill project during the Architectural Review Board Meeting on Monday, May 18th, and it was ultimately recommended for approval.
Rendering: KFA Architecture
The design of the eight-story structure underwent significant revisions. The elevation has been enlivened with “a layer of framed balconies,” allowing for ample private and common outdoor space. More prominence was given to the corner site, which was stepped back to promote pedestrian access. The building will be clad in cementer plaster and accented with dark grey metal panels and aluminum-framed windows.
Once complete, 701 Colorado Avenue will include 41 single-room occupancy (SRO) units, 18 market-rate apartments with one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts, and 2,267 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. There is no onsite parking for vehicles, but 84 bicycle parking spaces will be available.
Rendering: KFA Architecture
Amenities include a residential lobby, second-floor open-air courtyard with an adjacent lounge, seventh-floor community room, eighth-floor deck, plus a rooftop terrace that wraps around the corner of the building at 7th Street and Colorado.
The development is just a four-minute walk from Downtown Santa Monica station on the Metro Expo Line and a couple of blocks from grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and brand-name retailers — not to mention Santa Monica State Beach.
