The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved zoning Tuesday for Fourth & Central, a mixed-use development project located on eight acres near the Little Tokyo/Arts District Metro station. The project will transform existing industrial warehouses into 10 buildings containing 1,521 apartment units, office space, and retail areas.
What are the specific details of the Fourth & Central development?
The master plan for the site proposes 10 buildings with heights ranging from two to 30 stories. According to developers, the project will consist of 400,000 square feet of office space and more than 100,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space.
The development will also include two acres of public open space. The site, which is currently occupied by warehouses, parking lots, and cold storage facilities, sits at the crossroads of the Arts District, Little Tokyo, and Skid Row.
“We have literally spent years working on our plan to transform this industrial property into a mixed-use community,” Larry Rauch, president of Los Angeles Cold Storage, said in a statement.
How will the project support affordable housing and community needs?
The project will provide a minimum of 262 affordable units at extremely low- and very low-income levels, according to developers. This amount of extremely low-income housing reportedly exceeds the requirements set by the DTLA 2040 Community Plan.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents the 14th Council District, stated the agreement secures several community benefits. According to Jurado, the project includes:
- Local job opportunities.
- A dedicated community investment fund to support neighborhood priorities.
- Permanent space for community-serving businesses and organizations rooted in Little Tokyo and Skid Row.
- New public oversight for alcohol-related uses, including the creation of an Alcohol Advisory Group and public hearings for future permits.
Kristin Fukushima, executive director of the Little Tokyo Community Council, said the council is proud to have secured “meaningful benefits and mitigations” through their work on the campaign.
Who will manage the residential services?
Los Angeles Cold Storage will own the development. The Downtown Women’s Center has been designated as the service provider for residents.
The center will provide supportive services to tenants who were previously unhoused. These services may include case management, nursing, occupational therapy, substance abuse support, and tenant identification and selection.
What happens next for the site?
With zoning now approved, the project marks a significant milestone for the developers. The site may undergo a major transformation from an industrial zone into a mixed-use community as the project moves toward future construction phases.
“To hear our city’s decision-makers agree with our vision for what downtown Los Angeles can and should be makes today’s major milestone all the more rewarding,” Rauch added.
“This effort is about changing that legacy — using public action to ensure that growth in downtown creates housing, community-serving spaces, economic opportunity, and lasting benefits for the people who have built and sustained these neighborhoods,” Jurado added.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many apartment units are planned for the site?
The project will consist of 1,521 apartment units.
What kind of affordable housing will be provided?
The developers will provide a minimum of 262 affordable units at extremely low- and very low-income levels.
What services will be offered to unhoused residents?
The Downtown Women’s Center will provide services including nursing, case management, occupational therapy, and substance abuse support.
How do you think large-scale mixed-use developments like this impact the character of historic neighborhoods?
