Habitat Development Opens for Residents Next to La Cienega/Jefferson Station

Why It Matters

Habitat expands high‑density, transit‑adjacent housing while embedding affordable units, signaling how incentive‑driven development can address LA’s housing shortage and stimulate local economic activity.

Key Takeaways

• Habitat adds 260 apartments near La Cienega/Jefferson Metro station
• Rents span $2,800 to $9,700, targeting high‑income renters
• 22 units are deed‑restricted very low‑income; 7 are workforce housing
• Project includes 253,000‑sq‑ft office tower with ground‑floor retail
• Designed by SHoP Architects with Kelly Wearstler interiors

Pulse Analysis

The opening of Habitat marks the latest transit‑oriented development anchored to Metro’s La Cienega/Jefferson Station in Baldwin Hills. Jointly delivered by global developer Lendlease and Australian‑based Aware Super, the 12‑story tower replaces a former storage facility and adds a substantial residential supply to a corridor that has been reshaped by recent high‑rise projects. Proximity to the K Line and Metro bus routes positions Habitat as a model for density‑focused growth that aligns with Los Angeles’ affordable‑housing and climate‑action goals.

Habitat offers 260 studio, one‑ and two‑bedroom units ranging from 450 to 1,400 sq ft, with market rents from $2,800 to $9,700 per month. In exchange for a zoning density bonus, the developer set aside 22 deed‑restricted very‑low‑income units and 7 workforce apartments reserved for households earning up to 120 % of the area median income. This blend of premium and affordable inventory reflects a growing trend of developers leveraging incentive programs to embed socioeconomic diversity within upscale projects.

The mixed‑use component includes a six‑story, 253,000‑sq‑ft office building and 2,900 sq ft of ground‑floor commercial space, creating a live‑work environment that can attract tech firms and retail tenants seeking transit‑rich locations. Architectural leadership from SHoP Architects, with interior contributions from Kelly Wearstler and landscape design by Relm, gives the complex a high‑design pedigree that differentiates it from typical mid‑rise rentals. As Los Angeles continues to densify around transit hubs, Habitat illustrates how private capital, public incentives, and premium design can converge to reshape urban neighborhoods.