ValueRock Realty Files Plans for 138-Unit Mixed-Use Project in Santa Monica

ValueRock Realty has filed an application for a new eight-story mixed-use development at 1670 Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. The project aims to replace the existing Mel's Drive-In and its parking lot with a building designed by Ottinger Architects. Plans include 138 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments situated above 5,667 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The development will also feature semi-subterranean parking for 123 vehicles.

To facilitate a larger building than standard zoning permits, ValueRock Realty is requesting density bonus incentives and waivers to other land use regulations. In return for these entitlements, 14 of the proposed residential units will be designated as affordable housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households. The design incorporates a modern podium-type structure with amenities such as a rooftop deck and a central courtyard. This project continues a trend of mixed-use housing complexes emerging along Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica over the past decade, contributing to the area's housing supply and commercial vitality. For developers, this highlights the continued use of density bonus programs to unlock greater project potential in supply-constrained markets.