Across the street from Ferrante, the immense 1,500-unit apartment complex now being built by notorious developer Geoff Palmer in Downtown Los Angeles, construction is now beginning for a smaller infill project.

LaTerra Development recently broke ground on an eight-story, 53-unit apartment complex at 1100 W. Temple Street, replacing an auto repair shop.  The project, featuring five levels of wood-frame construction, will offer a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom dwellings (including four very low-income affordable units), and parking for 64 vehicles in a three-level podium.

Urban Architecture Lab is designing the contemporary mid-rise structure, which will feature a dark cement plaster exterior, and open space in the form of a central courtyard and a rooftop deck.

Construction of 1100 Temple is anticipated to occur over approximately 18 months, according to Chris Tourtellotte, Managing Director with LaTerra Development.

Besides Ferrante and 1100 Temple, several podium-type apartment buildings are currently planned or under construction in adjacent Westlake community, including a 47-unit development on Colton Street and a 54-unit project on Court Street.