Costco & Thrive Living Plans New Store & 800 Apartment Units in South LA

Costco is tackling the affordable housing crisis with a new mixed-use project in South Los Angeles. Partnering with developers Thrive Living and architects AO, the plan includes an 800-unit apartment complex, of which 184 units will be dedicated to affordable housing.

Project Details and Current Status

Announced last year, the project will be located in Baldwin Village on a vacant five-acre lot that used to be a hospital. Thrive Living confirmed the project is still awaiting permits, and the construction start date remains unknown.

Challenges in the Planning Process

Housing activist Joe Cohen criticized the complex planning and land use system in California and LA, which he described as a "Rube Goldberg machine." He noted that the project's hurdles highlight the inefficiencies in the system.

Features of the Mixed-Use Complex

The complex will feature a gym, multi-purpose spaces, gardens, a rooftop pool, landscaping, and a large parking lot. However, Cohen likened its design to an "old school prison" due to the long hallways and compact units. The building method involves pre-manufactured apartment modules to expedite construction and reduce costs.

Speculations and Legal Requirements

Cohen suggested that Costco might be using the apartment building as a strategic move to avoid LA’s expensive and prolonged site review process. According to state law, at least two-thirds of the 185,000-square-foot plan must be allocated to housing to qualify for a faster, cheaper building process.

Costco Store and Community Impact

The new Costco store will be located near mass transit options and include amenities like a multi-floor underground garage, pharmacy, and optical site. Jordan Brill of Thrive Living emphasized the project's role in addressing LA's housing affordability crisis while attracting long-term retail commitments, aligning with Mayor Bass's declaration of a housing emergency in Los Angeles.