The Mariposa Community
Koreatown is one of Los Angeles's most vibrant and densely populated neighborhoods, but this dynamism has created immense housing pressure, displacing many long-term, low-income residents
Location: Koreatown, Los Angeles
Project Type: 100% Affordable Housing
Size: 20 Units
Configuration: Mix of 1-BR and 2-BR Units
Construction: 3 Levels of Type V-A Wood Framing with roof deck
Key Features: Community Roof Deck, Recreation Room, Elevator, Secure Access
Status: Construction finished
Project Context: Building Hope in the Heart of Koreatown
Koreatown is one of Los Angeles’s most vibrant and densely populated neighborhoods, but this dynamism has created immense housing pressure, displacing many long-term, low-income residents. The Mariposa Community project is a direct response to this crisis. By replacing an aging duplex with a 20-unit, 100% affordable housing development, this project provides a vital anchor of stability and opportunity for families and individuals in the neighborhood.
This is more than just a building; it is a commitment to community. It ensures that the people who give Koreatown its character have a safe, dignified, and permanent place to call home, actively pushing back against the tide of displacement.
The Vision
The client’s vision was to create a sanctuary of affordability and community in a high-cost area. The goal was not simply to provide housing, but to foster a supportive environment for residents. This meant incorporating meaningful amenities like a recreation room for after-school programs and a rooftop deck for community gatherings—features that build social bonds and enhance quality of life, but are often the first to be cut from affordable projects. The vision was to prove that affordable housing can, and should, be built with dignity, quality, and a focus on the well-being of its residents.
Location:
Koreatown, Los Angeles
Project Type: 100% Affordable Housing
Size: 20 Units
Configuration: Mix of 1-BR and 2-BR Units
Construction: 3 Levels of Type V-A Wood Framing with roof deck
Key Features: Community Roof Deck, Recreation Room, Elevator, Secure Access
Status: Construction finished
Project Context: Building Hope in the Heart of Koreatown
Koreatown is one of Los Angeles’s most vibrant and densely populated neighborhoods, but this dynamism has created immense housing pressure, displacing many long-term, low-income residents. The Mariposa Community project is a direct response to this crisis. By replacing an aging duplex with a 20-unit, 100% affordable housing development, this project provides a vital anchor of stability and opportunity for families and individuals in the neighborhood.
This is more than just a building; it is a commitment to community. It ensures that the people who give Koreatown its character have a safe, dignified, and permanent place to call home, actively pushing back against the tide of displacement.
The Vision
The client’s vision was to create a sanctuary of affordability and community in a high-cost area. The goal was not simply to provide housing, but to foster a supportive environment for residents. This meant incorporating meaningful amenities like a recreation room for after-school programs and a rooftop deck for community gatherings—features that build social bonds and enhance quality of life, but are often the first to be cut from affordable projects. The vision was to prove that affordable housing can, and should, be built with dignity, quality, and a focus on the well-being of its residents.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was delivering a high-density, amenity-rich, and durable building within the strict financial constraints of an affordable housing pro forma. This required:
- Cost-Effective Density: Maximising the number of units was essential to making the project financially viable. This construction type demands extreme efficiency in both design and execution to keep costs manageable.
- Long-Term Durability: Affordable housing is a long-term community asset. The building had to be constructed with durable materials and systems to minimize maintenance and operating costs for decades to come.
- Fostering Community: The design needed to incorporate secure, functional, and inviting common areas that would encourage resident interaction and build a strong sense of community, turning a building into a home.
The Xtraunit Solution: The Power of Integrated Design-Build
As the single-source design-build partner, Xtraunit’s integrated model was critical in making this complex affordable housing project a reality.
- Design & Engineering: A Blueprint for Community and Value Our in-house team designed a building that maximized both unit count and community space efficiently.
- Designing for Connection: Our architects thoughtfully laid out the ground-floor recreation room and the expansive rooftop deck, creating safe and accessible spaces for residents to gather, socialize, and build relationships. Private balconies for each unit provide personal outdoor space, another key element for quality of life.
- Streamlined Permitting: By managing the entire plan set in-house, we navigated the LADBS approval process efficiently, securing the RTI permit and moving this vital project closer to groundbreaking.
- Construction: Building Affordability with Quality Our construction strategy is focused on delivering a high-quality, durable building on an affordable budget.
- In-House Control: By self-performing the critical concrete and framing work, we control the most complex and costly phases of construction, eliminating subcontractor markups and coordination delays. This direct control is key to keeping the project on budget.
- Durable Systems: We selected robust and low-maintenance materials for all building systems and finishes, ensuring the long-term sustainability and financial health of the property for the operating agency and its residents.
- The Result: An Anchor of Opportunity The Mariposa Community is poised to be a landmark affordable housing development in Koreatown. It demonstrates that with a dedicated vision and an expert design-build partner, it is possible to build high-density, high-quality affordable housing that strengthens the fabric of a neighborhood. This project will provide 20 families with the stability and security they need to thrive, making a real, tangible impact on the Los Angeles housing crisis.
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