See the modern, 36-story tower that might wipe out a makeshift park

The grassy spot in front of the business complex between Serrano and Oxford along Wilshire—a space often used by locals as park space—might give way to a 36-story residential and retail development from Jamison Services, the major commercial landlord.

New renderings of the tower, first spotted by Urbanize LA, show how the structure and its tower and retail space would fit into the neighborhood. It would be designed in a “contemporary modern style with vertical elements, large glass facades, and exposed colorful tiles,” say planning documents.

Called 3700 Wilshire, the project would bring 506 residential units (one- and two-bedrooms, plus a few penthouse units) and about 62,000 square feet of eateries and storefront to the block. Within the boundaries of the project, there will also be “pedestrian passageways and connections ... linking the retail podium and the residential tower.”

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Construction is expected to take about 47 months, according to planning documents. Jamison is aiming to break ground as soon as the middle of the coming year, which would mean that this new tower would be finished by the end of 2020.

The 11-story office building behind the future site of 3700 Wilshire will stay put.

Though privately owned, the lawn where the tower will rise was often used by locals as a makeshift park, and it was not uncommon to see people playing with their dogs or hanging out under the trees that grew on the site. (They were very often shooed away by a watchful security guard.)

It’s not surprising that people flock to whatever green space is available in the area: Koreatown has less than 0.07 acres per 1,000 residents, the Los Angeles Times reported earlier this year. The minimum considered adequate by park planners is three acres per 1,000.

Jamison is on a tear through Koreatown, planning a 123-unit development atop a parking structure at Wilshire and Ardmore, and two residential buildings not far from the Wilshire/Normandie subway stop. Long known as a commercial landlord, Jamison has most recently been switching gears toward residential projects, and has even converted a couple of office buildings into housing.

• 36-Story Tower to Rise at K-Town's Wilshire Park Place [Urbanize LA]
• 3700 Wilshire: Initial Study [Department of City Planning]