Originally built in 1889 as a fashionable hotel and retail block in the new Boyle Heights neighborhood, this building fell into severe disrepair a few years ago. Across from Mariachi Plaza and within walking distance to the new Gold Line Eastside Extension, it was brought back to life recently as a much-needed affordable housing project with a compatible adjacent addition by East Los Angeles Community Corporation.

Richard Barron Architects was assigned the difficult task of retrofitting and renovating the old building while preserving the historical fabric of the building and designed an addition that complimented the original building while being contemporary.

Much of the landscape was incorporated into the new addition in the interior courtyard over the garage with bright colored pots and lush planting with generous seating. Around the perimeter, bioswales were incorporated per SUSMP requirements to capture and treat stormwater on site with select ornamental plantings such as deer grass and fountain grass to slow the movement of water.

This project is the recipient of a 2013 Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Award and a 2012 Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing “Affordable Housing Project of the Year” award. Download PDF