The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has taken steps toward awarding development rights to two Arts District properties to a local real estate investment firm.

In December 2018, the County issued a request for proposals for the redevelopment of properties at the intersection of East 4th Place and Hewitt Street.  The two sites, which comprise approximately 1.5 acres, are currently developed with a small office building and a parking garage, both of which serve the Department of Public Social Services.

The Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to initiate an exclusive negotiation agreement with Urban Offerings for the redevelopment of the properties, which are located at 321 S. Hewitt Street and 813 E. 4th Place.  Plans call for the construction of a mixed-use project featuring: 

  • 43,000 square feet of office space for DPSS;
  • 232,000 square feet of speculative office space;
  • 19,000 square feet of artist affordable housing
  • 11,000 square feet of street-level retail space; and
  • approximately 870 parking stalls for use by County employees and the adjacent non-profit organization Art Share L.A.

The proposed development is being designed by Office Untitled.  A rendering depicts two contemporary commercial buildings.

The pending agreement was first reported by Curbed.

Urban Offerings, based out of Sawtelle, is partnering on high-rise developments in the Fashion DistrictChinatown, and Koreatown.  The company is also rehabilitating two historic buildings on Los Angeles and Main Streets.