Skip links

The Clyde Ave

A quiet addition to the neighborhood, this project balances privacy and community. Compact yet efficient, it serves as a model for how thoughtful design can maximize limited urban space.

Location: Mid-City, Los Angeles

Project Type: Affordable Multifamily apartment with ADU

Size: 14 Units Total (13 Main Units + 1 ADU)

Configuration: Mix of Studio, 1-BR Units

Construction: 3 Levels of Type V-A Construction on a Slab-on-Grade Foundation

Key Features: Expansive Roof Deck, Elevator, Large Bedroom Windows, No On-Site Parking

Status: Permit Approved / Under Construction

Project Context: High-Design Density in a Historic Core

Mid-City is one of Los Angeles’s most dynamic and historically rich neighborhoods, a nexus of culture with incredible access to employment hubs in Downtown, Hollywood, and the Westside. This connectivity has created intense demand for new, high-quality rental housing. This project seizes that opportunity by introducing modern, efficient living spaces into a neighborhood characterized by a mix of single-family and older multi-family housing stock.

By strategically foregoing on-site parking—a move enabled by Los Angeles’s transit-oriented community (TOC) guidelines—this project maximizes its residential footprint, replacing a single-family home with fourteen individual residences. It is a prime example of thoughtful, high-density infill development designed for a modern, car-optional urban lifestyle.

The Vision

The client’s vision was to develop a sophisticated, distinct apartment community that would appeal to young professionals and creatives drawn to Mid-City. The key objectives were to maximize the lot’s potential by creating the highest possible unit count, incorporate high-end amenities like a roof deck and oversized windows, and deliver a product that felt both luxurious and contextually appropriate, all while maintaining a feasible construction budget.

The Challenge

The primary challenge was one of optimization and execution. How could we deliver a building with a high level of design and desirable amenities while employing a cost-effective construction methodology? This required:

Architectural Efficiency: Creating 14 units on a standard residential lot necessitated a design with zero wasted space, ensuring every square foot contributed to the project’s value and livability.

Structural Sophistication: The design’s large window openings required careful structural engineering to maintain seismic integrity and shear wall requirements without compromising the aesthetic vision.

Cost Containment: To make the pro forma works, the core construction had to be exceptionally efficient, avoiding the high costs of subterranean or podium structures.

Location:
Mid-City, Los Angeles

Project Type:
Affordable Multifamily apartment with ADU

Size: 13 Main Units + 1 ADU

Configuration: Mix of Studio and 1-BR Units

Construction:
3 Levels of Type V-A Construction on a Slab-on-Grade Foundation

Key Features:
Expansive Roof Deck, Elevator, Large Bedroom Windows, No On-Site Parking

Status: Permit Approved / Under Construction

Project Context: A Legislative Opportunity

This project leverages California Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), landmark legislation that unlocks single-family zoned lots for denser, “missing middle” housing. Located in the vibrant but rapidly appreciating NoHo Arts District, this project directly answers the critical need for affordable housing in a community rich with transit and amenities, providing 15 modern homes on a lot previously restricted to one.

The Vision

Our client, an investor focused on community impact, sought to create a model SB 9 project: 15 units of high-quality affordable housing. The core objective was ensuring the project was financially viable as a long-term asset, balancing construction cost with durability and resident appeal.

The Xtraunit Solution: Design-Build for Maximum Value

Xtraunit delivered a holistic solution that balanced architectural ambition with financial pragmatism.

  1. Design & Engineering: A Focus on Light and Efficiency The design team crafted a plan that feels spacious and premium while being incredibly efficient.
  • Slab-on-Grade Foundation: This critical decision, made possible by the TOC incentives, eliminated the high cost of a subterranean garage and podium deck, channeling the budget instead toward more savings, higher-quality finishes and amenities.
  • Maximizing Light and Air: The design prominently features large windows in all bedrooms, a key differentiator in the rental market. Our structural engineers meticulously designed the shear and bearing walls to accommodate these expansive openings without requiring costly steel framing, maintaining the efficiency of the Type V-A wood structure.
  • ADU Integration: We seamlessly integrated a ground-floor Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) into the design, adding an extra income-producing unit and further maximizing the property’s density and value following state law.
  1. Construction: Building Value with Precision Our construction strategy is focused on delivering this high-design project with the efficiency of a streamlined build.
  • Cost-Effective Methodology: By utilizing a slab-on-grade foundation and a standard Type V-A wood frame, we have established a construction process that is fast, reliable, and significantly more affordable than concrete podium construction.
  • Amenity-Forward Build: Our teams are focused on executing the high-value features flawlessly. The rooftop deck is engineered for social gatherings, with structural supports and utility rough-ins planned from day one. The elevator provides a touch of luxury and accessibility, broadening the building’s appeal.
  • Turnkey Project Management: From managing the RTI permit process with LADBS to coordinating all on-site logistics, Xtraunit provides the client with a single point of accountability, ensuring the project is built to the highest standard, on schedule and on budget.
  1. The Result: A Premier Asset for a Thriving Neighborhood The Clyde Avenue Residences are poised to become a benchmark for smart infill development in Mid-City. The project masterfully combines market-savvy amenities with a cost-effective construction strategy, creating a high-yield investment for our client. It proves that with the right design-build partner, it is possible to deliver architecturally significant and highly desirable housing that meets the needs of modern Los Angeles.

Need to Make the Numbers Work on Your Next Project?

Let us show you how our value engineering and design-build process can deliver a successful project that meets your budget.

Design Services

We offer full-scope design services tailored for multifamily, ADUs, mixed-use, and small lot developments

Architectural
Design

Schematic plans, unit programming, renderings, and layout optimization.

Structural
Engineering

Framing systems, lateral analysis, seismic design, and retrofit support.

MEP
Engineering

Right-sized HVAC, plumbing, and electrical designs that meet energy and safety codes.

Civil
Engineering

Grading, drainage, stormwater planning, and public right-of-way integration.

Founded in 2016, XtraUnit was built to solve real housing challenges. We create thoughtful, sustainable homes, and we do it with transparency, excellence, and purpose. XtraUnit is proudly built by Dotz Inc.

Contact us

Monday-Friday: 08am-9pm

+(1) 310.749.7999

Have a project in mind?

info@XtraUnit.com

© 2025. Designed & Developed by LIONDEL STUDIO.

This website uses cookies to improve your web experience.