Legendary Development Gets Green Light for 18-story Office Tower in Downtown LA

Legendary Development successfully obtained approval for an 18-story office building in Downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, despite facing an appeal. The Los Angeles City Council denied the appeal, allowing the development of the 316,100-square-foot tower at 411 South Hewitt Street. This project is a revision of original plans submitted seven years ago, which initially proposed an 11-story building at 4th and Hewitt streets. Led by Dilip Bhavnani, the Pasadena-based firm is partnering with San Francisco-based Gensler for the project's design. The building will integrate the former A+D Museum and will feature 308,000 square feet of offices, 8,100 square feet of ground-floor restaurants, and a 660-car garage.

Design and Features

The 18-story glass building will include outdoor patios and terrace decks for tenants, along with public open space adjacent to the street. The design draws inspiration from the Arts District's utilitarian style, with a concrete podium resembling surrounding warehouses, adorned with murals.

Approval Process and Opposition

City Council approval was necessary for zoning changes and general plan amendments. An appeal against the project, filed by SAFER, an affiliate of Laborers International Union of North America Local 270, was denied. The appeal argued that the environmental study for the project failed to adequately assess potential impacts on air quality, biological resources, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Real Estate Landscape and Market Trends

Despite concerns over office vacancy rates in Downtown LA, which stood at 26 percent in central areas and 33 percent in non-central areas, the Arts District remains attractive to tech and media companies like Spotify, Honey, and Warner Music Group. Over the past decade, the district has transformed from abandoned warehouses into a hub for creative office development.

Legendary Development's Involvement and Future Projects

Legendary Development, also known as Legendary Group, has partnered with Brookfield Residential to develop The Aliso, a $215-million, 472-unit mixed-use project in the Arts District. Additionally, other significant projects in the neighborhood include the 35-story Alloy development at 520 Mateo Street and a proposed project from Onni Group.

By navigating regulatory processes, addressing opposition concerns, and capitalizing on the area's appeal to businesses, Legendary Development continues to shape the landscape of the Arts District with innovative projects.