Torrential rains have recently transformed the typically calm Los Angeles River into a raging waterway, drawing attention to the future residents of a new development underway in Frogtown. Situated at 1771 W. Blake Avenue, the project led by Los Angeles-based Harridge Development Group is progressing on a mixed-use endeavor that has been in the works for a decade along the river’s west bank. Approved plans outline the construction of up to 100 small lot homes on the eastern side of Blake Avenue, accompanied by 17 condominiums and commercial spaces on the western side.
William Hezmalhalch Architects has been tasked with designing the new housing, which will be integrated into a network of private roads within the development. Despite the potential exposure to the river’s swells during heavy rainfall, construction continues unabated.
This project stands as the latest addition to a series of residential developments cropping up in Frogtown. Preceding it are initiatives like the small lot subdivision undertaken by Watt Companies and the construction of a 52-unit apartment complex by Uncommon, indicating a growing interest in residential expansion within the neighborhood.
While this endeavor may seem modest in scale compared to Harridge’s other ventures, such as the Crossroads Hollywood complex on Sunset Boulevard or the redevelopment of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza mall, it marks a significant addition to Frogtown’s evolving landscape. With its proximity to the Los Angeles River, future residents will enjoy a unique vantage point, albeit one that comes with the potential for witnessing the river’s volatile behavior during periods of intense rainfall.