Adaptive reuse project moves forward at 5150 PCH in Long Beach

A report to the Long Beach Planning Commission offers a look at a proposed adaptive reuse project which would transform a 1980s office building a half-mile west of the Cal State Long Beach campus into student housing. The project, spearheaded by Fountain Residential Partners and designed by Studio One Eleven, plans to retain the glass exterior of the seven-story structure while transforming its interior into 149 residential suites with a capacity for up to 593 beds. Existing parking accommodations will also be retained to provide space for up to 364 vehicles. Street-level view looking southwest Studio One Eleven Plans for the project also include the addition of open spaces for residents, such as a plaza, lounge areas, and a splash pool. An existing surface parking lot will be razed to create room for these amenities, as well as the new construction of a small pavilion building. Required approvals for the project include a zoning code amendment, a conditional use permit, and a general plan amendment. Street-level view looking northwest Studio One Eleven The conversion of the Park Tower building into housing is expected to take approximately 15 months to be completed, upon the start of construction. The project aims to address the lack of available student housing for students at Cal State Long Beach, as well as those attending nearby institutions such as Long Beach City College. According to a Planning Commission staff report, there are only three dormitories currently serving Cal State Long Beach, although the university recently broke ground on a $115-million project that will expand its student housing capacity by 424 beds. The university also plans for up to 1,600 beds in total through its campus master plan. Steven Sharp, writer for Urbanize LA, reports on the adaptive reuse project at 5150 PCH in Long Beach. Originally reported by Urbanize LA: https