Nearly one year after breaking ground, construction on the Santa Cecilia Apartments has kicked into high gear at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights.

The approximately $32-million project, which is being developed by the real estate firm McCormack Baron Salzar, will create 80 units of affordable housing and 4,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.  According to the California State Treasurer's office, the project will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as larger townhome-style units.  Rents will range from $450 to $1,200 per month, limited to families and individuals making 30-60% of the los Angeles median household income.

As designed by Santa Monica-based DE Architects, the Santa Cecilia Apartments are intended to match the aesthetics of other nearby properties at Mariachi Plaza, including the 125-year-old Boyle Hotel.  Portions of the five-story building will be clad in red brick, while the entrance will be flanked by two panels featuring artistic depictions of Mariachi musicians, alluding to the musicians that concregate at the adjacent plaza.

Completion was originally expected within 16 months of groundbreaking, placing a finish date in late 2016.  It is unclear if this timeline remains accurate.