Mixed-Use

Amanda Villas is an affordable senior housing development, currently under construction, in Cudahy, CA. The 140-unit project will provide low-income seniors earning 50% below the area median income with high-quality affordable housing. The project includes a 21,000 square foot state-of-the-art health center that will deliver medical, dental, and behavioral health services to residents of the development as well as neighbors in the community.

According to LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn “the proposed development is designed to be an impactful mixed-use development that provides a one stop housing and wellness solution for low income and homeless seniors, including an array of on-site health services and economic development opportunities accessible to the surrounding community, such as job creation, and education and training programs”.

The five-story building exterior was designed with Irvin Gil’s influences, considered a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture and commonly found in southern California. The exterior design features white stucco walls contrasted by a brick cladded base and colorful tile insets. The building massing is softened with deep roof overhangs and gracefully articulated arched openings at the ground level. Rounding the street-facing building elevation is a focal entry courtyard and a landscaped rooftop terrace on the fifth level overlooking the existing streetscape.

The project is funded by a combination of LA County Development Authority (LACDA) funds and State of California Tax Credits.

The Carina is part of an overall newly planned mixed-use community on the site of the MainPlace Santa Ana Mall. The mall's new master plan will include the addition of a food hall in "European marketplace" style, an interactive play center for children, upgrades to its movie theater, a grocery store, and two apartment communities with two new residential communities.

The Carina is slated to provide 407 highly amenitized units within a modern and timeless building that will be the new beacon of living at the MainPlace mall. Situated on the highly visible avenue of Main St, the south and east facade represent a high level of articulation using a rhythm of balconies and concrete frames as balconies. At their apex, the south and east façade come together to create a tall, elegant frame comprised of soft natural woods and tall, elegant glass while culminating in an overarching roof element which creates an overall sense of arrival.

The long sweeping east elevation is given a unique identity using slim articulated frames to accentuate key moments in the building façade, using smooth metal panels and light-colored plaster gives it a modern elegant feel. Using a mix of landscaping and curated horizontal fins to deter the visibility of the garage, creating a higher level of experience at the pedestrian level.