Bernards Doubles Up On Multifamily Builds

LOS ANGELES—Commercial builder Bernards has neared completion of two multifamily projects from developer Camden USA. Designed by TCA Architects, the two sister projects are the 287-unit Camden, in Hollywood, and the 303-unit Camden Glendale. These two projects show that multifamily development has not slowed down.

According to Jeff M. Bernards, SVP at Bernards, there has been “an explosion” of ground-up multifamily development. The contractor is currently under construction on $825 million in multifamily or mixed-use projects in Los Angeles and Orange County, which will amount to deliveries of 3,400 residential units between 2015 and 2016.

Located on the former Glendale Triangle site at 3924 San Fernando Road in Glendale, the Camden Glendale launched leasing efforts in early April. The seven-story mixed-use complex was designed to attract millennials, especially young professionals who work at the nearby Disney and DreamWorks campuses. The property features 16 live-work lofts and six retail spaces, as well as amenities like a pool and spa, two roof decks, four courtyards, fitness center with yoga rooms and a barbecue area.

Located at 1540 North Vine Street, in Hollywood, the Camden is a five-story mixed-use property. In addition to close proximity to restaurants and shops, the property also offers residents an SBE Entertainment package to gain premier access to SBE-owned nightclubs and restaurants. The Glendale project started nearly a year before the Camden Hollywood project, and as a result, the Hollywood project has more amenities. “During the approximate year difference in the start of the two Camden projects, with Camden Glendale Triangle starting first, there was an acceleration of the “amenities arms race,” Bernards tells GlobeSt.com. “That, combined with Hollywood tenants having slightly higher expectations, has resulted in the Camden Hollywood project having a bit more and different amenities than Glendale.”

When asked about the challenges of building these projects, Bernards said that the Hollywood project has presented some challenges because of the limited space. “The Hollywood site is much more constrained than the Glendale site and is situated in undoubtedly one of the busiest and famous intersections in the greater Los Angeles area, Hollywood and Vine,” says Bernards. The Hollywood project is expected to be completed at the end of next year.