The Los Angeles City Council has approved The Mansfield, a six-story, mixed-use project proposed for 5100 Wilshire Blvd. that will raze a Burger King and a former theatre that is now occupied by a church.

The Mansfield will bring multi-family units and ground-floor retail to 5100 Wilshire Blvd. The project will span a city block, from Orange Drive to Mansfield Avenue. (rendering courtesy of the Korda Group)

On Tuesday, the council approved the 165,000-square-foot project, which will bring 138 multi-family residential units and 12,550 square feet of retail space. The project had received support from the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and the Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association.

“In a perfect world, that area would go back to be a wonderful, old movie theatre. But given that that is not going to happen, we are pleased that the Korda Group had chosen to work with us and keep us in the loop and listen to our concerns through this process,” said Ann Eggleston, association president. “We’re looking forward to continuing that relationship.”

Initially, the Korda Group presented plans that the association’s members did not believe was a good fit for that section of Wilshire Boulevard.

After conducting a historical survey, the family-owned business announced a new proposal that the association deemed to be more compatible.

In a previous interview, Eggleston said the developers tried to incorporate features of the original theatre design, but the marquee and other defining features could not be saved.

She said the theatre closed approximately 15 years ago, and that Oasis Church utilized the space until last year. After Oasis Church found new space, a Korean church began to lease space at the site.

In February, Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, voice his support of the project. He said it would be a “tremendous” addition to the area, and that it was one of the most “outstanding” designs that he has seen.

“I think it’s an exciting building,” LaBonge said at the time.

The Mansfield will also offer 330 parking spaces. Approximately 80 will be designated for retail customers, 205 will be for residents and 45 will be extra. Bicycle parking will be offered on-site, and the Korda Group is providing almost 16,000 square feet of open space. Access will be from Orange Drive and Mansfield Avenue.

While Eggleston is pleased that the approval process was cordial, she is not looking forward to the construction — mostly because of the continuous work that has been going on in the area. From the mixed-use project at the corner of La Brea Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard to the Bus Rapid Transit and subway extension projects, work has been occurring nonstop.

“This just adds to the construction that’s already there,” she added. “It has been an inconvenience for the neighbors and definitely difficult for the businesses.”