Harridge Plans 290 Homes at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

Harridge Development Group aims to add nearly 300 homes to its Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Baldwin Hills.

The Century City-based developer led by David Schwartzman has filed plans to build 290 duplexes and single-family homes on two mall parking lots along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Santa Rosalia Drive and Marlton Avenue, Urbanize Los Angeles reported.

The proposal follows plans last year to build two eight-story apartment buildings with 436 units on the north side of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.

Harridge bought the 42-acre mall in 2021 for $111 million from a Deutsche Bank affiliate named DWS Group. In a separate deal, it bought the now-closed Macy’s department store next door for $30 million.

The firm then hatched a $1 billion plan to build up to 330,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, more than 140,000 square feet of offices, up to 400 hotel rooms and 961 homes.

Its latest proposal calls for two clusters of three-story duplexes and detached homes, including 80 homes on the mall’s north block and 210 homes on its south block.

Some 10 percent of the homes would be set aside as affordable for households earning between 60 and 80 percent of area median income.

The project, designed by Danielian Associates, would include rows of two- and three-bedroom homes clad in gray and white, with red and chartreuse trim, according to a rendering.

Harridge, in acquiring the mall three years ago, beat a competing proposal from the Black-owned group named Downtown Crenshaw Rising.

Last month, the organization sued Deutsche Bank arm DWS Group, arguing the decision to reject its $115-million bid was tied to racism. The complaint alleges DWS “demonstrated a preference” for White buyers, according to The Real Deal.

— Dana Bartholomew