One block east of MacArthur Park, a former used car sales lot has made way for a mixed-use development.

Slowly but surely, an earth mover is clearing dirt from a roughly .31-acre property at the southeast corner of 6th Street and Westlake Avenue, where the City of Los Angeles has authorized the construction of a podium-type building featuring 63 apartments above podium parking and retail space.

The project, which was designed in accordance with the Transit Oriented Communities guidelines, would include seven deed-restricted affordable units, allowing for a larger structure than would be permitted by the property's base zoning.

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Los Angeles County Assessor's records list the owner of the development site as an entity affiliated with the Irvine-based real estate investment firm Sperry Equities.  The property last sold for $5.9 million in August 2019.

The new apartment complex will rise within walking distance of new affordable housing projects planned at 437 and 619 S. Westlake Avenue.

A similar market-rate project with retail space is also planned a few blocks east at 1701 W. 6th Street.