Pasadena Reviews Mixed-Use Lake Avenue Proposal

The area surrounding the Metro A Line’s Lake station in Pasadena could look different if the city signs off on a proposal from 4D Development.

The Pasadena Design Commission is set to review a plan from a 4D Development & Investment affiliate to build a mixed-use apartment building at 490 North Lake Avenue, Urbanize Los Angeles reported.

4D Development’s plan calls for the construction of a seven-story building with 149 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments above 9,298 square feet of ground-floor retail and parking for 135 vehicles. The Kevin Tsai Architecture-designed building would span 129,953 square feet.

Of the 149 units, 23 would be set aside for low- and moderate-income households. In Los Angeles County, this is generally defined as making a maximum of between $84,850 and $89,550 for one person annually, or between $121,150 and $127,900 for a household of four. By including the affordable units, the project is eligible for density bonus incentives, permitting the developer to build more units than zoning regulations would typically allow.

The project will be presented to the Pasadena Design Commission for a preliminary consultation. A final vote on the development has not been scheduled.

4D Development has been active with other multifamily projects in the Los Angeles area. In 2023 the firm completed the E on Adams mixed-use development at 5181 West Adams Boulevard. That project comprises a six-story building with 115 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments above about 16,600 square feet of ground-floor retail and a 46-car garage.

In October, the Los Angeles City Council upheld the City Planning Commission’s approval of 4D Development’s proposed mixed-use residential project in Beverly Grove. 4D’s endeavor will replace a stretch of commercial buildings at 8251-8271 West Melrose Avenue with a six-story building featuring 90 one- and two-bedroom apartments atop 15,271 square feet of ground-floor retail and a 96-car parking garage. That project, similar to its plans in Pasadena, will include affordable housing set aside for very-low-income residents in exchange for density bonus incentives.

— Chris Malone Méndez