In Koreatown development boom, Jamison gives mixed-use project new life

A developer has breathed new life into plans for a mixed-use residential and commercial project in Koreatown, after previous versions failed in the now coveted neighborhood.

Submitted Thursday, the latest filing calls for 193 residential units — 20 set aside as affordable — and 19,500 square feet of commercial space at 2842 West James Wood Boulevard, city planning records show.

The development firm Jamison Services appears to be connected to the planned six-story project in an area that has seen a rapidly increasing number of construction projects. The company is not listed as the project applicant, but deeds and corporate registrations linked to the site show the owner of one of the parcels has Jamison’s mailing address. Separately, the company is moving forward with another, far larger residential project in Koreatown. Jamison declined to comment.

The latest project has had several versions over the years. A filing from 2013 details plans for 187 residential units, 18,000 square feet of retail space on the north side, and a mixed-use building with 224 units and 25,800 square feet of ground retail on the south side. Archeon International Group and developer Young Kim, who owns most of the land, terminated that proposal in December 2015, according to documents. Kim, through 900 Vermont LLC, is still the listed owner for many of the parcels at the site.

Attempts to reach Kim and representatives from Archeon International were unsuccessful.

In 2016, there was another round of interest in the site. The city approved a permit for construction there, and granted the sale of alcohol. Then all went quiet.

With the renewed attempt to develop the property, Jamison seems to be taking advantage of the city’s recent transit-oriented community laws. The laws were put in place to encourage commuter-friendly residential projects.

The building would increase the amount of residential units allowed in the area by 50 or more, given its proximity to the Wilshire/Vermont station.

If approved, the proposal would be the latest to join a flurry of recent transit-oriented developments filed with the city. In Westlake, an unidentified developer filed plans to build a 36-unit apartment complex on North Lake Street. That’s in addition to the 51-unit building slated for 432 East Florence Avenue in South L.A., and a nearby 38-unit apartment complex at 327 and 321 South Oxford avenues in Koreatown.

Jamison is already planning a massive, 506-unit apartment complex with 62,000 square feet of commercial space in Koreatown.  Jamison also owns the Harbor Building at 4201 Wilshire Boulevard — home to advertising agency Concept Arts — and the 618,000-square-foot office tower at 1055 W. 7th Street in Downtown Los Angeles.