1111 Sunset Boulevard, a mixed-use development on the edge of downtown Los Angeles, seeks to transform a long-dormant site into a modern community hub. The 5.5-acre property, formerly the site of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) headquarters designed by architect William Pereira, is located on a designated transportation corridor in the city of Los Angeles’ Central City North community plan area. The proposed development will bring residential units, retail and creative office space, and a boutique hotel to the site.
With 778 residences, including market-rate and affordable units, 1111 Sunset will provide Los Angeles with much-needed new housing near job centers. Low-rise bungalow-style residences feature private gardens and rooftop terraces, with front doors and windows oriented to views and common areas. Two residential towers are raised above the landscape, supported by cores adorned with colorful murals. The architecture references L.A.’s mid-century modern heritage, with layered, textured facades that provide shade as well as access to daylight and fresh air.
A series of passageways, stairs, and plazas provide openings into the oval-shaped site, which culminates at a hilltop with sweeping views of the downtown skyline. At the heart of the design is more than two acres of accessible open space, designed in collaboration with James Corner Field Operations. This new amenity recalls the history of the site, which in the 19th century was a richly landscaped knoll known as Beaudry Park. The open space includes a gently sloping walkway, which echoes Pereira’s original masterplan for the MWD headquarters, and stretches from Sunset Boulevard to the main retail area.
Smaller-scale commercial and residential buildings are interspersed with the landscape to create an environment that offers improved amenities while relating to the character of the surrounding residential streets. Parking and service areas are concealed within the site’s topography or integrated with the landscape, and vehicle entry and exit points are discreetly situated and covered by terraces and landscaping.
SOM is leading the overall design of 1111 Sunset with a team of internationally recognized collaborators. Kengo Kuma is designing the hotel, Natoma Architects is designing the northern residential tower, and James Corner Field Operations is designing the open space.