Onni Reconfigures LA’s Arts District Project for Apartments

Onni Group is moving forward with a residential-focused mixed-use development in the Arts District on the edge of Downtown Los Angeles.

The Vancouver-based developer submitted a new application to the City of Los Angeles, according to Urbanize Los Angeles.

The plans outline two high-rise buildings at 2143 East Violet Street — one 30 stories and the other 19 stories. The towers will include a total of 474 residential units consisting of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Additionally, the project will feature just over 2,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and subterranean parking.

As part of its compliance with Measure JJJ, Onni’s development will also include 76 units designated for very low- and extremely low-income residents.

Designed by the architecture firm SCB, the project has undergone a change from office to residential since its initial submission last year. However, the buildings’ heights remain the same — 344 feet and 226 feet, respectively. Originally, Onni had secured approvals in 2021 for a development on the same site that included a larger office component with 187,000 square feet of workspace and 347 apartments.

With much of Los Angeles’ office space now underutilized, developers like Onni have pivoted to prioritize housing. This mirrors decisions made by others in the area, such as Tishman Speyer, which recently canceled plans for a nearby office project.

The changes reflect a larger trend within the local real estate market as developers shift away from office projects in the wake of decreased demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Onni is not expanding at the aggressive rate it once did, the company continues to pursue new developments in the L.A. region. Its current projects include a high-rise under construction at Olympic Boulevard and Hill Street in Downtown Los Angeles and a planned two-tower complex in Glendale. The shift in strategy signals Onni’s ongoing commitment to the region while adapting to changing market demands.

— Joel Russell