Diico Properties, a Beverly Hills-based developer led by Ely Dromy, is making waves in Santa Monica with plans for a new mixed-use project. The development, which will replace a smaller apartment complex, promises to bring both hotel rooms and residential units to the city’s Mid-City area. In line with California’s housing goals, the project will also include affordable housing options, taking advantage of the state’s builder’s remedy to bypass certain local zoning restrictions.
Location and Scope
The proposed development will be located at 1420 20th Street, a prime site in Santa Monica’s Mid-City neighborhood. The eight-story building will stand in place of an existing 10-unit apartment complex. According to renderings shared by the developer, the building will feature both a 40-room hotel and 50 residential units. The residential section will offer a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.
In addition to the living and hotel spaces, the project will include over 1,200 square feet of commercial space, offering potential for shops or other businesses on the ground floor. An underground parking garage will accommodate 62 cars, providing essential parking for residents, hotel guests, and commercial visitors.
The Builder’s Remedy: A Pathway for Housing Development
This project is being filed under California’s “builder’s remedy” law, which is designed to fast-track housing projects in cities that have failed to meet their housing goals. The builder’s remedy allows developers to bypass local zoning regulations, provided that the project includes at least 20% affordable housing. This law is part of a broader effort to address California’s housing shortage and ensure that developers are incentivized to build in cities that have not complied with state-mandated housing plans.
Affordable Housing Component
The Santa Monica development will include 10 affordable housing units, in compliance with the builder’s remedy requirement. This is a significant contribution to the city’s efforts to increase affordable housing in a highly sought-after urban area. The inclusion of affordable units is expected to help meet local and state housing goals, especially as Santa Monica, like many California cities, grapples with high housing costs.
Renderings and Design
Renderings of the project, designed by Ottinger Architects, show a modern, sleek building with contemporary design elements that blend with the surrounding urban environment. The eight-story structure will offer a mix of residential and commercial uses, with the hotel located on the lower floors and apartments above. This mixed-use model is becoming increasingly popular in urban areas as it helps to maximize land use and create more vibrant, walkable neighborhoods.
Conclusion: A Positive Step Toward Housing Solutions
The Diico Properties hotel-apartment complex in Santa Monica is an exciting development for the city, offering a blend of affordable housing and much-needed amenities. By utilizing the builder’s remedy, this project is advancing housing solutions in a city that faces significant challenges when it comes to both affordability and availability. The inclusion of hotel rooms alongside residential units is a smart move, offering flexibility and diversity in the type of housing and services provided. As California continues to explore innovative solutions to its housing crisis, projects like this could serve as a model for future developments across the state.