A plan to build a new L.A. high-rise that looks like it’s wrapped up in ribbons is slated to get underway just in time for Christmas.
Developers Frederick and Laurie Samitaur Smith are behind the 17-story, 160,000-square-foot office tower project, known as the (W)rapper, near the border of South Los Angeles and Culver City, the L.A. Times reported.
“I believe it will be a demonstrative statement of innovation,” Frederick told the Times, noting that he hopes to have secured permits by the end of the year. The project has been delayed several times already because of difficulties gaining necessary city approvals.
The building’s unique exoskeleton, designed by architect Eric Owen Moss, comprises steel ribbons wrapped around a glass structure. The steel actually will actually support the building, eliminating the need for interior columns.
Asking rents at the building are slated to top $4 a foot, a jump above the area’s average rent of $3 a foot, said Micheal Geller, executive vice president with First Property Realty, who will head up leasing. [LAT] — Katherine Clarke