The Korda Group is currently in the process of seeking approvals for The Mansfield, a six-story, mixed-use project that would total approximately 165,000 square feet at 5100 Wilshire Blvd.

The Mansfield, a six-story, mixed-use project proposed for Wilshire Boulevard and Mansfield Avenue, is likely one year away from construction, if approved. (rendering courtesy of the Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association)

The Los Angeles Department of City Planning on Jan. 31 held a hearing for the project, which would raze a Burger King and a former theatre. The developers are looking to build 138 multi-family residential units over approximately 12,550 square feet of retail space.

“We’re looking forward to bringing a high-quality residential development over nice retail,” said Bob Korda, of the Korda Group. He added that the company is likely one year away from construction.

The project has received support from the affected neighborhood organizations — the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and the Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association.

Ann Eggleston, association president, said the family-owned company presented plans to the organization last summer, and members believed that the design was not suitable for the east end of the Miracle Mile.

“It did not fit at all with the character of the area,” she said.

However, the architect, Plus Architects’ Shahab Ghods, and the Korda Group conducted a historical survey of the area and came back with a new proposal that was more compatible with the neighborhood, Eggleston said.

The design incorporated elements of the original theatre design, but there just wasn’t a way for the developers to save the marquee and some of the theatre’s other elements, she said. After working with the developers, the association opted to support the project.

“With all things being equal, we would still love to have a theatre there,” Eggleston added.

The project tops off at 85 feet, but the association president said the developers could have gone higher. She said the project, which is higher on the Wilshire Boulevard side, has a “reasonable” scale.

“We definitely felt like they worked with us in good faith and that they were thinking about some place that they would want to live,” Eggleston said, adding that the association asked for the developers to lease retail space to independent businesses — not big chains.

She said the theatre closed approximately 15 years ago, and Oasis Church occupied the space until last fall, when the church bought space at Wilshire Boulevard and Normandie Avenue. Since then, a Korean church has utilized the old theatre.

Eggleston said Burger King’s lease is up at the end of July, when demolition and excavation is likely to begin.

Although the association took the lead in vetting the project, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council also voted to support it. Greg Wittmann, secretary of the council’s land use committee, said the developers value community participation.

“We supported it based on our understanding that the most affected neighbors … were supportive,” he said, adding that neighbors were already well informed by the time the council heard the agenda item. “The outreach that they did was better than we normally see.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, said the design is one of “most outstanding” designs that he’s seen, and should be a “tremendous” contribution to the community.

“And I think it’s an exciting building,” he added.

LaBonge said it’s good to see development on the east end of the Miracle Mile, but it must be balanced, satisfying the need for housing while protecting neighborhoods.

“So this is good,” he said.

Korda said the company is pleased to be building in the neighborhood, which it believes is the next hot, up-and-coming area.

“We’re very much looking forward to it,” he said.

Eggleston said some residents in the area are already exhausted by construction, considering that minor construction is still ongoing at the BRE Properties project at La Brea Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.

“But we have a long way to go,” she said, referencing several other potential projects near the neighborhood. Eggleston said the area may be facing approximately 25 years of “pretty big” construction. “For me as a resident, that is a little overwhelming, but that’s where we are.”

According to city documents, the project would offer 330 parking spaces — 80 for retail, 205 for residential and 45 extra spaces. It will also offer bicycle parking. The project incorporates 15,955 square feet of open space, and the project access will be from Orange Drive and Mansfield Avenue.