Project Overview
The South LA Costco project will be located at 5035 Coliseum St., Baldwin Village/Crenshaw area.
Source: Joe Cohen/X
It will reportedly include a Costco store and 800 residential units, with 184 units reserved for low-income tenants. Thrive Living and architects AO are leading the project.
Innovative Design
The design features multiple floors, open courtyards, landscaped paths, and amenities like a fitness area, community spaces, and a rooftop pool.
Source: Nelson Ndongala/Unsplash
This mixed-use model is not only novel for LA but may have national retail implications for Costco.
Meeting Housing Needs
Joe Cohen, a housing activist, highlights the complexity of California’s planning system but supports the project.
Source: Kae Ng/Unsplash
“LA needs a lot more housing, and we need it everywhere we can get it,” he says. The development aims to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area.
Construction Challenges
Thrive Living faces numerous construction hurdles, including state Assembly bills and union rules.
Source: Wikimedia
To speed up and reduce costs, they will use pre-fabricated apartment modules. These modules are compact, easily transportable, and allow for high-density living.
Pre-Fabricated Apartments
The pre-fabricated modules ensure quick assembly and lower labor costs.
Source: Jeriden Villegas/Unsplash
These compact units fit together efficiently, meeting the requirement that two-thirds of the development’s total square footage be residential.
Underground Parking
The South LA Costco will feature a multi-floor underground garage.
Source: Freepik
This ensures ample parking for shoppers and residents, minimizing surface-level congestion. The development also aims to be transit-friendly, promoting sustainable transportation options.
Retail Adjustments
The retail component of the new Costso may streamline its product selection for this location, focusing on fresh produce and daily necessities.
Source: Gustavo Fring/Pexels
The store will include a pharmacy, optical station, and other essential services. These adjustments cater to both residents and shoppers.
Community Reaction
Joe Cohen’s comparison of the design to a “Costco Prison” garnered mixed reactions.
Source: Cytonn Photography/Pexels
However, the majority of comments on his X post were in favor of the project. Many trust the Costco brand to deliver a positive impact on the community.
Broader Implications
This development could serve as a model for future urban projects, blending commercial and residential spaces.
Source: Enric Cruz Lòpez/Pexels
If successful, it may influence similar projects statewide, addressing housing shortages while maintaining retail functions.
Trust in Costco
Cohen also onotes the public’s trust in Costco: “If they’re doing it, it must be a good thing.”
Source: Koffermejia/Wikimedia Commons
This trust is crucial for the project’s acceptance and success. The innovative approach could redefine urban development strategies.
Future Prospects
The South LA Costco project is in the permitting stages, with construction expected to evolve over the next 18 to 36 months.
Source: Tierra Mallorca/Unsplash
If embraced by locals and officials, it could pave the way for similar high-density developments, providing a blueprint for integrating housing and retail.
