Ten months after a proposed development notice was posted outside the Vons grocery store near the intersection of Broadway and Lincoln Boulevard in downtown Santa Monica, the first renderings of the eight-story, mixed-use project have been revealed.
The proposed development by Related California calls for 296 residential units, approximately 99,050 square feet of commercial space, and two levels of underground parking to accommodate 374 vehicles. Renderings depict a new 63,500-square-foot Vons location, a commercial gym, and restaurant space with outdoor seating.
Although designed as a singular structure with an interior courtyard, Large Architecture envisions three distinct exterior treatments — described as “curvilinear,” “folded,” and “wavy” — to create visual interest. The building’s façade would be characterized by weathered gray brick, wood accents, bronze-tone metal louvers, punch windows, slatted balcony screens and frameless glass railings.
Architectural drawings depict the Lincoln Boulevard frontage rising five stories, while the 7th Street frontage reaches eight stories. There would be a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, including 90 deed-restricted affordable units. Floorplans would range from 460 to 1,250 square feet and a significant share of units would feature private balconies.
Residents would have access to a lobby with a mailroom, package storage and leasing office, a landscaped courtyard and a sizable roof deck, however, few details are known about the amenity spaces.
The 2.49-acre site is currently improved by a one-story Vons grocery store built in 1995 and a large asphalt surface parking lot. If approved, future residents would live within walking distance of the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park.
During its February 16th meeting, the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board provided mostly positive feedback in the preliminary review of the proposed project and will delve into the design further in the coming months.
Related California is behind a number of other Santa Monica residential developments, including The Waverly and The Seychelle, and is nearing completion on The Grand, a $1 billion mixed-use complex in DTLA designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry.
