Redeveloper of Boyle Heights Sears looking for project partner

Shomof Group, which is planning to redevelop the Boyle Heights Sears building into housing, office space, and shops, is looking for a partner on the project, The Real Deal reports.

The project would include repurposing the Art Deco Sears building into a food hall, offices, more than 1,000 live/work units, and a rooftop restaurant. Previous plans has called for the existing Sears store to remain in its spot on the first floor, but it’s not clear whether that will change given the chain’s bankruptcy proceedings.

In addition to totally overhauling the Art Deco structure, Shomof also wants to build four new structures around the Sears tower—part of a second phase of the project, says TRD. Those buildings would hold over 1,000 housing units, a 120-room hotel, and 95,000 square feet of retail. This part of the redevelopment hasn’t yet received city approvals.

The Boyle Heights Sears was built in 1927 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located along the Los Angeles River and just south of the web-like junction of the 5, 10, and 101 Freeways.

• Shomof Group shops stake in 25-acre Sears redevelopment project [The Real Deal]