LOS ANGELES-Developers are either under way or have unveiledplans for 900 multifamily units that range from a 151-unitconversion of a hotel to brand-new luxury apartments and eightaffordable housing complexes by one developer―among thema 21-unit ground-up condominium development. The projects are anindication that, while construction remains stalled in some sectorsbecause of the recession, notably the office market, multifamilyhas managed to maintain some building momentum.

The largest single project in terms of number of units is theconversion of the 85-year-old Ford Hotel at 1000 E. Seventh St. inDowntown Los Angeles into a 151-unit residence for low-incomesingle residents. Construction is under way on the $12 millionconversion of the six-story building, which is being developed bythe non-profit SRO Housing Corp. of Los Angeles and designed bySanta Monica-based Killefer Flammang Architects. The conversion isa LEED-equivalent project, according to Bob Timmerman, KFAprincipal and project manager. Funding for the $12 million projectwill be provided by the Community Redevelopment Agency, MentalHealth Services Act, Affordable Housing Program and taxcredits.

One of the most unusual of the developments is a 21-unitcondominium project by Westwood-based developer California Landmarkon a former utility company parking lot on Prosser Avenue, justsouth of Santa Monica Boulevard and west of Beverly Glen, adjacentto the developer's corporate headquarters. California Landmarkpresident and CEO Ken Kahan describes it as "one of our smallestprojects in the last fifteen years," but adds, "We’re nonethelessvery happy to get a shovel in the ground." Kahan says CaliforniaLandmark plans two additional new projects in Los Angeles earlynext year.