The Los Angeles City Council has officially approved BIG's massive mixed-use development project known as 670 Mesquit, marking a significant milestone for the Danish architectural firm's first major project in Los Angeles. The approval comes nearly nine years after Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) first unveiled the ambitious proposal in December 2016, which envisions transforming a section of the city's Arts District along the Los Angeles River into a sprawling urban complex.
The approved development will consist of four interconnected buildings reaching up to 34 stories in height, strategically positioned along the Los Angeles River. The site boundaries extend from the Arts District to the east, projected Alameda Street to the west, First Street to the north, and Violet Street to the south. The project is designed to cover approximately 2.6 million square feet and will be constructed in multiple phases over the coming years.
According to BIG's architectural vision, the design draws significant inspiration from the Arts District's industrial heritage, particularly the area's former warehouses and their cost-efficient construction methods. The architects also incorporated elements from Los Angeles' iconic Case Study Houses, which exemplify modernist low-cost housing principles. This blend of influences creates what BIG describes as a space where "the freedom of the warehouse loft meets the individual customization of the stick-built Case Study House."
The complex will feature a diverse mix of uses designed to serve both residents and the broader community. Plans include approximately 676,000 square feet of office space and around 895 residential units, with 144 units designated as below-market-rate housing to address affordable housing needs. Additionally, the development will incorporate a 271-room hotel, educational facilities including a school, retail and restaurant spaces, a fitness center, an art gallery, and either a grocery store or farmers market to serve daily needs.
A key feature of the approved design is its innovative structural approach, which repeats a large-scale modular system throughout the buildings. This flexible framework allows for easy subdivision and reconfiguration according to different programmatic needs, ensuring the space can adapt to changing uses over time. The modular design also reflects the practical, industrial aesthetic that BIG sought to capture from the surrounding Arts District.
While the recently approved design maintains the major features of the original 2016 proposal, it includes important modifications primarily related to the distribution and organization of different program elements. The refined design better integrates the various uses while maintaining the project's ambitious scale and architectural vision. These adjustments reflect years of community input, regulatory review, and design refinement.
One of the most significant public amenities included in the project is a carefully designed park that will serve as a bridge between the Los Angeles River and the Arts District. This elevated park will be constructed above an existing rail line and will feature facilities specifically designed for community events and gatherings. The green spaces throughout the development, including rooftop gardens and ground-level public areas, will be designed and implemented by Studio MLA, known for their innovative landscape architecture.
Bjarke Ingels, the principal architect behind the project, has emphasized that a central goal of 670 Mesquit is to help transform the Los Angeles riverbank into a vibrant new urban landscape that will benefit both residents and visitors. This vision aligns with broader city initiatives to revitalize the LA River corridor and create more accessible public spaces along the waterway. The project represents a significant investment in the area's future as a mixed-use urban destination.
