Construction of Mixed-Use Apartment Complex on Gaffey Could Begin Next Spring

Artist rendering of the proposed Gaffey Street Apartments located on the corner of Gaffey and Sepulveda (photo: www.charles-company.com)

Developers are hoping to break ground on construction of a proposed $1.5 million mixed-use commercial and residential complex next spring or early summer after receiving overwhelming support of two neighborhood councils.

Charles Company, a property developer based in West Hollywood, is planning to construct a three-story complex called “Gaffey Street Apartments” with retail spaces on the first floor and 30 residential units above the first level, said Tom Lao, a project manager for Charles Company.

The building, which will be located on Gaffey Street and Sepulveda Boulevard, will include a partial underground parking lot, with the entrances facing Sepulveda Street. The underground parking lot will be partial because the property is below grade on the western end near Sepulveda Boulevard and flat across on Gaffey Street, Lao said.

The proposed development would include a center atrium and a roof top lounge area. All of the apartment units in the building would have individual balconies, according to a Planning and Land Use Committee Report from the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. The property is located at 335 N. Gaffey Street.

“We got a lot of support from both of the neighborhood councils. Everything has been good feedback so far,” said Lao.

The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council was pleased with the proposed development and made a resolution to support the project last month, said Sue Castillo, Land Use and Public Works Committee Chairwoman. One the council’s primary conditions to support the project was minor landscaping details on the ground level, she added. Charles Company also received support from the Northwest Neighborhood Council earlier this month.

“We like to see new things. We’d like to see a building rather than an empty space. [The design] was fairly attractive. Right now we just have a hideous looking lot with fencing around it,” said Castillo.

Charles Company submitted their request for permits and an application for variance with the city of Los Angeles in July. The filings are still pending approval from the city, but the company doesn’t anticipate any issues, said Lao.

The mixed-use complex would be the company’s first project in San Pedro. Most of the Charles Company’s previous projects have been mixed-use and apartment developments throughout Los Angeles County, said Lao.

“It’s a pretty compact project, but also very integrated as far as the design goes. It’s small, but it’s nicely put together,” said Lao.

[Image source: Charles Company]