Last year, we reported that one of L.A.’s most innovative development projects had passed the Planning Commission. After that, there was silence, and the pioneering building, long in the making for nearly a decade, seemed to fade into oblivion.
But today, everything has changed, as the planning to build the 670 Mesquit Street development has officially been approved, as Urbanize reports. This forward-thinking project aims to reimagine urban living while preserving the area’s rich industrial history.
Designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in collaboration with Gruen Associates and Studio-MLA (also behind the Lucas Museum), this multi-level development integrates residential, commercial, and community spaces.
It offers 670,000 square feet of office space and 894 housing units, including 144 set aside for low-income families, making it one of DTLA’s largest housing projects. The plans also include a 271-room hotel, a charter elementary school, and a variety of retail, dining, and gallery venues to complement the living spaces.
The development will feature four interconnected high-rise towers, with the tallest reaching 34 stories with a height of 388 feet. The design includes constructing a deck over the adjacent rail right-of-way to the east, creating a closer link to the river.
Construction of 670 Mesquit is planned either as a single five-year project or in multiple phases spread over nine years. However, an official groundbreaking date has yet to be announced.