Harper West Hollywood Housing & Preservation Project

Size: 55,000 SF
Program: 40 unit Multi-Family Residential
​                + rehab of 8 units on a historic site
Developer: GTO Harper LLC
Project Team:   
Workplays Studio* Architecture
​        Ric. Abramson FAIA, Principal
        Daniel Ruiz
        Christopher Megowan
        Gregory Fischer
        James McKissick        
        Maria Cruz
        Chris Woodroffe
        Mike Yee
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Consultants:
        Structural Engineer:
            Brian Cochran & Associates
        Landscape Architect: DSK Associates
        MEP Engineer: 
            Antieri/Haloossim/Mattingly
         Civil Engineer: KPFF
Completion Date: November 2009

This project had originally been proposed as a smaller 17 unit development. However, with strong community support for historic preservation, the site of the 1926 Ramona apartments was designated by the City Council and after a subsequent additional land purchase, the project was refashioned as a 40 unit condominium project.  The eight original Ramona apartments were preserved rehabilitated as affordable housing while new market-rate units were integrated around the perimeter.

Working closely with the project's developer, City Staff, existing tenants and the community the resultant design unfolds as a double courtyard with eleven unit types ranging in section from from garden-oriented flats and scissoring townhomes to attached rowhouses and penthouse loft units.  This diverse range of units types help shape a new landmark courtyard housing project that not only extends the Ramona’s useful life and enhances it’s position as a community cultural resource but also develops highly unique and creative new housing stock for the City of West Hollywood.