Updated Plan for Apartments at 1238 Lincoln Blvd. In Santa Monica

Why It Matters

The project expands Santa Monica’s housing stock while delivering affordable units, addressing the city’s chronic shortage and supporting the broader densification strategy along a key transit‑oriented corridor.

Key Takeaways

• 232 units across eight stories, replacing former Boys & Girls Club site
• 24 units reserved for moderate to very‑low‑income renters via density bonus
• Basement parking accommodates 306 vehicles, supporting resident car needs
• Patrick Tighe Architecture leads design with C‑shaped podium and courtyard
• Project adds to Lincoln Blvd’s high‑rise residential boom in Santa Monica

Pulse Analysis

Lincoln Property Company’s latest filing for 1238 Lincoln Boulevard signals a decisive shift toward higher‑density, mixed‑income housing in Santa Monica. The eight‑story tower, crafted by Patrick Tighe Architecture, will deliver 232 studio, one‑ and two‑bedroom apartments and feature a C‑shaped podium with a rear courtyard, blending contemporary aesthetics with functional urban living. By securing a density bonus, the developer can exceed zoning limits while committing 24 units to moderate, low and very‑low‑income households, reinforcing the city’s affordable‑housing mandates.

The revised plan arrives amid a broader construction surge along Lincoln Boulevard, where developers such as Cypress Equity, Tishman Speyer and Related California have already transformed former commercial blocks into high‑rise residential complexes. This corridor, flanked by Santa Monica Boulevard and the 10 Freeway, benefits from proximity to the Metro E Line and downtown employment hubs, making it a prime target for transit‑oriented development. The influx of new units helps alleviate the region’s tight rental market, where vacancy rates have dipped below 3 percent and rents have risen sharply over the past year.

For Santa Monica, the project offers a dual benefit: it expands the overall housing supply and delivers a modest but meaningful tranche of affordable units. While the 24 low‑income apartments represent a small fraction of the total, they align with the city’s goal of preserving socioeconomic diversity amid rapid gentrification. As the city continues to prioritize densification and sustainable design, the 1238 Lincoln Boulevard development could serve as a template for future projects that balance market demand with community equity.