Deco-Inspired Apartments Planned for Miracle Mile behind Dominguez-Wilshire Building

The classic Art Deco landmark “Amherst Tower” on Wilshire between Cloverdale and Cochran will soon see its half acre parking lot in the rear turned from pavement to housing when this project designed by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA) gets underway.

Providing 43 units and 246 parking stalls (four levels underground, for the future residents as well as commercial parking), the deco-inspired design of vertical composite panels and attenuated facade is meant to reflect the texture and relief of the Art Deco precast concrete work in the adjacent Amherst Tower.

As described on the LOHR website, the buildings will be street-friendly, with access to units from both Cloverdale and Cochran, and at only four floors tall, will act as a transition between the historic commercial corridor and the residential neighborhood behind it:

Driven by a desire for indoor-outdoor living, all units are accessed from an exterior walkway. The resulting single-loaded corridor frames two distinct private courtyards and allows all units the opportunity for cross ventilation. The building’s mass is further opened up with an outdoor pool and shade garden on the fourth level for residents. Maintaining an overall height of 48 feet, consistent with the residential neighborhood, the building provides view to the Hollywood Hills and Downtown Los Angeles beyond.

This project, along with a similar development The Desmond going up behind the historic Desmond’s building on Wilshire, and The Mansfield planned for the former Oasis Church location in Sycamore Square, will bring many more residents to Miracle Mile and no doubt boost the retail, restaurant, automobile and foot traffic in the area. We’re eager to see Wilshire Center become vibrant once again.

LOHR Online: Miracle Mile project