LA’s Largest Development for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Tops Out First Tower

In a significant step toward addressing homelessness among Skid Row residents, a 19-story tower for the Weingart Center Association tops out construction. The structure, built by Emmerson Construction with Swinerton as the prime subcontractor, is one of two towers planned for the development by the Los Angeles, California-based nonprofit agency, which provides supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness, and Chelsea Investment Corporation, one of the nation’s leading affordable housing developers.

The occasion was commemorated with a visit from the city of Los Angeles’ Chief of Housing and Homelessness Solutions Mercedes Marquez, other dignitaries and teams from Swinerton, Emmerson Construction, Axis/GFA Architecture + Design, Weingart Center Association, and Chelsea Investment Corporation gathered with trade partners for a lunch event on the jobsite located at Sixth Street and Pedro Street. The $160-million project is anticipated to complete construction in the first quarter of 2024.

The development spans 228,000 square feet, making it the largest permanent supportive housing project in the city’s history and one of the largest on the West Coast. It will provide 228 studio apartments, 47 one-bedroom apartments, and three one-bedroom apartments for full-time onsite managers. Beyond housing, the Weingart Tower will offer comprehensive services to help unsheltered individuals recover, such as job training, counseling and dedicated spaces for classrooms and administrative offices. Residential amenities include a dining facility, commercial kitchen, community center, music room, art room, computer room and outdoor decks. The building will also feature one level of below-grade parking with 15 stalls.

The building’s design emphasizes sustainability and eco-friendliness by prioritizing energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, water conservation and resource conservation. The tower aims to meet Green Point Gold standards, demonstrating a commitment to creating a healthy living environment and fostering community among residents.

As a project funded by public sources, the development adheres to numerous federal and local labor compliance requirements, including the provision that over 30% of the workforce resides near the project site.