The project, led by EAH Housing at 1318 Fourth St., will feature 122 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments
A proposed six-story affordable housing development at the former site of Parking Structure 3 in Santa Monica is moving forward with a revised design, according to a staff report presented to the city’s Architectural Review Board.
The project, led by EAH Housing at 1318 Fourth St., will feature 122 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, all designated as 100% affordable housing. The development includes a 20,000-square-foot ground-floor grocery market and a two-level subterranean parking garage. Located in the Bayside Conservation Zoning District, the city-owned property is exempt from the Downtown Community Plan and Zoning Ordinance due to its affordable housing designation.
The Architectural Review Board reviewed the initial design on March 17, 2025, and requested modifications, citing concerns about the Fourth Street façade’s institutional appearance, bland color palette, and maintenance challenges. In response, EAH Housing submitted a revised design eliminating deep recessed ledges and vertical aluminum slats with a wood-grain finish, replacing them with perforated zinc screens and additional cement plaster. The updated façade emphasizes vertical recesses and a more ordered aesthetic, with a corner storefront window enhancing the elevator lobby’s verticality.
The building’s design prioritizes natural light and ventilation, incorporating a 3,100-square-foot central courtyard with a children’s playground, outdoor seating, and landscaping featuring Chinese flame trees, olive trees, and various shrubs. Additional open terraces and light courts enhance outdoor amenities, while the ground floor’s transparent materials and setbacks aim to improve the pedestrian experience along Fourth Street.
The project, which includes intensive case management services by The People Concern for tenants, aligns with the city’s goal of providing affordable housing. The board’s decision can be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 days of the ruling.
