Related California begins work on $350 million mixed-use scheme in California

US-based real estate company Related California has broken ground on The Village at Santa Monica, a $350 million mixed-use scheme in the US state of California.

The Village at Santa Monica will be developed at Ocean Avenue in close proximity to Santa Monica beach. The scheme involves construction of 318 luxury condominiums and affordable rental apartments, 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and walkable plazas and gardens. The lead architect for the project is Moore Ruble Yudel. The project reveals inspiration from traditional Santa Monica and Venice walk streets. The project’s walk street acts as a central spine through the site and connects the project from Main Street to Ocean Avenue.

The walk street is surrounded by landscaped plazas, which are lined with retail outlets, restaurants and outdoor dining. The Village also has a floating glass sky bridge over the entrance to the walk street. The other architects for the scheme include Santa Monica-based Koning Eizenberg Architecture, which will design 160 affordable residential units; and Mia Lehrer + Associates will design the landscapes.

Related California has partnered with The Resmark Companies for the development of 158 condominiums and Community Corporation of Santa Monica for the construction of 160 affordable homes. The scheme has been financed by Wells Fargo Bank and HSBC. The project is anticipated to create 1,500 construction jobs. Charles Pankow Builders has been appointed as the general contractor for the project. The project is slated for completion in January 2014.