Mid City West, with its vast array of trendy boutiques and popular restaurants, has long been one of Southern California's most popular shopping districts. Now, a prominent local developer is betting that the neighborhood can also become a destination for those seeking high-rise living.

Earlier this week, Rick Caruso filed plans with the City of Los Angeles to build a 19-story apartment tower at the northwest corner of La Cienega and San Vicente Boulevards. The property, located on a one block south of the Beverly Center, is currently occupied by a low-rise parking and retail center. The proposed redevelopment of the roughly one-acre site at 333 La Cienega Boulevard would include 154 apartments, 3,500 square feet of restaurant space, and a 26,000-square-foot grocery store.

The project is located in Mid City West's upscale Beverly Grove district, where a slew of pricey residential developments have been built over the past several years. These recent projects are headlined by 8500 Burton Way, an ultra high-end apartment complex which was also developed by Caruso. With spacious floor plans, hotel-like amenities and a ground-floor Trader Joe's market, rents in the eight-story edifice range as high as $40,000 per month.

Like his earlier project, Caruso's plan for 333 La Cienega calls for a blend of residential units above ground-floor commercial space. However, at 240 feet above street level, the proposed tower will easily eclipse the height profile of its neighbor across Burton Way.

An exact timeline for the development is currently unclear. Construction of the high-rise building is contingent upon multiple discretionary approvals from the city, including a general plan amendment and a height district change.