Construction has Begun on Nadel Architects-Designed $11M Mixed-Use Project in Westwood Village

LOS ANGELES - Oct. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Construction has begun on the Nadel Architects-designed, $11 million mixed-use complex on the former site of Westwood’s Mann Theatre. Currently named Lindbrook-Gayley, the four-story, 80,000-square-foot building rests in the heart of Westwood Village on a mere 16,000 square feet. When completed, Lindbrook-Gayley will consist of 34 apartments, 5,250 square feet of retail space and two subterranean parking levels. The project was approved by the West Los Angeles Planning Commission in 2012 and is tentatively scheduled for completion in the summer of 2014.

This project – located at 10925 Lindbrook Dr. – marks the first venture into residential development by owner Simms Commercial Development, a longtime developer of the Westside. Based on their mixed-use expertise, Nadel Architects was hired by the developer to create a design that fits comfortably into the existing Westwood Village environment, while providing small but elegant apartments for young professionals.

“This new facility will bring a lot more activity to Westwood,” said Dale Yonkin, AIA, project director. “We geared our design toward appealing to young professionals who will not only be long-term residents, but who will also create a greater demand for a variety of neighborhood retail.”

Nadel’s design also accommodates city planning requirements while maintaining cost effectiveness. Articulated massing will visually break the development into small sections to create the appearance of separate buildings without the costs associated with multiple structures. Additionally, the design reduces the effect of the building’s height and strong vertical element with significant step-backs at upper levels. The design provides a modern, casual, urban living style that naturally blends into the historic, small scale feel of the surrounding neighborhood.

Seven of the 34 apartment units will be penthouses with large terraces and all units will range from 660-square-feet to 1,480-square-feet in size. Nadel’s design for the residential units provides an open, spacious loft environment, featuring 11-foot ceilings, open kitchens and large sliding doors opening up the secondary bedroom to the living room to provide a flexible use of space.

Amenities include a social room on the second floor opening up to a private courtyard and a large rooftop gathering area with a spa. Because it stands higher than all adjacent buildings, this rooftop will provide dramatic views of Westwood Village.

In order to economically provide a sufficient number of parking spaces, Nadel’s project team worked extensively with city officials to approve extending the parking area to two subterranean levels under adjacent public property.

In addition to Yonkin, Nadel’s design team includes Afsaneh Riahi, planner; Justin DeWitt, AIA, designer; and Vic Gaygeshian, AIA, project manager.