WS Communities is pursuing yet another mixed-use apartment building near Metro's Downtown Santa Monica Station, according to plans presented to City's Architectural Review Board.

The latest project, slated to replace a small commercial building at the northeast corner of 7th Street and Colorado Avenue, calls for the construction of an eight-story structure containing 69 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments - including 11 affordable units - and approximately 2,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.  No automobile parking is planned, though 84 bicycle parking spaces would be provided in a single basement level.

KFA Architecture is designing the 701 Colorado project, which is described as a modern infill project rising approximately 84 feet in height.  Plans call for multiple open space areas, including an interior courtyard and exterior-facing decks on the 7th, 8th, and roof levels.

The current presentation is preliminary, and no vote by the Architectural Review Board is scheduled at this point in time.  Board members are only expected to provide feedback on the design concept.

The 701 Colorado development is the latest in a cluster of similar mixed-use projects from WS Communities that are either planned or under construction along Colorado Boulevard.

Just north at Lincoln Boulevard, construction is now underway for a five-story, 100-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail.

Two other adjoining sites at 1543 7th Street and 711 Colorado Avenue are slated for mixed-income and senior affordable housing developments, respectively.

An additional project featuring 140 apartments and ground-floor retail space is planned at 601 Colorado Avenue.

Several of these projects will benefit from a settlement agreement between WS Communities and the City of Santa Monica regarding a threat of litigation over proposed single-room occupancy developments.  As a result, 701 Colorado and five other projects have been guaranteed expedited processing.