Uncommon eyes affordable apartment building in Northridge

Uncommon Developers has added an affordable apartment complex in Northridge to its growing list of multifamily projects across Los Angeles.

The Chatsworth-based builder has filed plans to construct a 255-unit apartment building at 17829 West Halsted Street, just east of Cal State Northridge, Urbanize Los Angeles reported. It would replace a vacant lot.

Plans call for the seven-story building, dubbed Uncommon Halsted, to include studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments above parking for 125 cars.

Uncommon eyes affordable apartment building in Northridge — Rendering of plans for 17829 West Halsted Street, Los Angeles (JZA Architecture)

The developer has employed density bonus incentives to permit a larger building than allowed by local zoning rules, as well as waivers from other development standards.

Except for a market-rate manager’s unit, all of the apartments are to be set aside as affordable for low- and moderate-income households.

The contemporary white apartment building, designed by Culver City-based JZA Architecture, comes without eaves or balconies, and includes orange outdoor stairways and trim outside a parking garage on its first and second floors, according to a rendering. It would include a double-height lobby and a recreation room.

A timeline for the project was not disclosed.

Uncommon Developers, known for building the mixed-use headquarters campus of MGA Entertainment in Chatsworth, has proposed a slew of apartment buildings across Los Angeles.

Its co-founders are Jason Larian, son of billionaire toymaker Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, and Ryan Hekmat, who is married to Isaac Larian’s daughter. The offices of Uncommon Developers are inside the MGA headquarters building.

Uncommon projects include apartments in North Hills, Inglewood, Hollywood, West Hollywood and Van Nuys.

In January, the nonprofit Yes In My Back Yard sued L.A. after the City Council refused to allow Uncommon Developers to use a fast-track affordable housing option to build a seven-story, 360-unit complex at 8217 North Winnetka Avenue in the San Fernando Valley.

— Dana Bartholomew