Development duo moves ahead on 128-unit high-rise in Hollywood

Wedge-shaped glass tower would contain micro units, soar over the 101 Freeway

From left: Massachi Industries' Alex Massachi and DM Development's Mark McDonald with 1725-1739 N. Bronson Ave ( DM Development, Steinberg Hart, Massachi)
From left: Massachi Industries' Alex Massachi and DM Development's Mark McDonald with 1725-1739 N. Bronson Ave ( DM Development, Steinberg Hart, Massachi)

A pair of developers won preliminary approval to build a 24-story apartment tower south of the 101 Freeway in Hollywood.

The Los Angeles Planning Commission approved plans by San Francisco-based DM Development and Alex Massachi of Massachi Industries, based in Hollywood, for a 128-unit building at 1725-1739 N. Bronson Ave., Urbanize Los Angeles reported.

Plans call for a 270-foot-tall tower with 128 apartments above a partially underground parking garage for 134 cars.

The duo plans to break ground by the end of the year, and finish by the third quarter of 2024.

The wedge-shaped high-rise, designed by Downtown-based Steinberg Hart, would have a twisting glass facade of floor-to-ceiling views. RELM, also based Downtown, serves as landscape architect.

The 24-story tower will consist of full units and “micro-suites,” or smaller, furnished studios similar to co-living spaces surrounding a communal living room and kitchen, DM Development CEO Mark MacDonald and Massachi told The Real Deal last year.

The micro units would rent at about $2,000 a month, according to Urbanize. The upper floors would rent at similar prices to nearby high-rise apartments.

MacDonald and Massachi said they were inspired by new hotels and luxury apartment buildings in the area, like the Edition and the Pendry Residences in West Hollywood.

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DM Development and Massachi Industries have sought density bonus incentives permitting a larger structure than allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, they would set aside 11 of the proposed one-, two-, and five-bedroom apartments as affordable for households at the very low-income level.

The developers bought the site for the proposed tower from MCAP Development, owned by Massachi’s family firm, for undisclosed terms. .

The tower will replace an existing parking lot and is located on the same site as the Lombardi House — a private event space with four “villas” available for rental — which MCAP also owns.

The Bronson Avenue project was challenged by the union-affiliated Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility and the Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development Los Angeles, which argued it should be subject to a full environmental study. The planning commission denied both appeals.

“We are so elated at the overwhelming positivity and support for our project from a diverse coalition of stakeholders including union groups, resident neighbors, and major employers in Hollywood,” Massachi said in a statement. “It’s truly a testament to the quality of the team.”

DM Development recently completed work on The Harland, a luxury rental development in West Hollywood. Massachi is now building a 24-unit apartment building in Hollywood.

[Urbanize Los Angeles] – Dana Bartholomew

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