LOS ANGELES, CA - At the corner of Vermont and Manchester avenues, a lot that has been left vacant and blighted since the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Uprising, construction has started on Evermont. The new mixed-use development will deliver 180 affordable homes for seniors and families, retail stores, a transit plaza, and a Metro training facility. Co-developers BRIDGE Housing, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), and Primestor Development came together to address the needs of a historically marginalized and under-resourced neighborhood, where 78% of residents earn low to moderate incomes.
Since 2018, the development team has engaged deeply with the community to create a shared vision for the site, including its name: “Evermont.” The name was chosen to honor the evolving legacy of South Los Angeles and celebrate a future of new possibilities. Construction at Evermont is anticipated to be completed in 2024.
“Evermont is a promise kept to the surrounding communities of Vermont and Manchester that I am proud to represent. Reaching the construction stage has been a herculean lift and true collaboration that exemplifies the strength in public-private partners,” stated Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “As these buildings rise from the ground, we are not only creating physical spaces that will redefine our communities, we are also investing in good paying jobs and sustainable community development that will directly impact the lives of our residents.”
The residential component, led by BRIDGE Housing and CRCD, consists of Vista@Evermont, which will offer 62 permanent supportive housing apartments for seniors who have experienced chronic homelessness, and Luminus@Evermont, which will feature 118 affordable homes for families with low incomes, including 60 permanent supportive housing units. Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing with wraparound health, behavioral health, and social services to serve people who have experienced chronic homelessness.
Ken Lombard, President and CEO, BRIDGE Housing commented, “Evermont will deliver a quality solution that includes affordable and permanent supportive housing with the services people need to thrive. In keeping with our mission, Evermont goes beyond housing to provide the retail, transit and education and jobs that lift up neighborhoods. We’re proud to team up on this innovative development that will create benefits for generations to come.”
“30 years after the LA Civil Unrest, we are excited to be a partner in the development team bringing affordable and permanent supportive housing and services to the Vermont Manchester project,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Coalition for Responsible Community Development. “CRCD is committed to providing resources and revitalizing neglected communities in South Los Angeles. As a South LA native and local nonprofit leader, CRCD will be responsive to the community through active engagement and providing quality, affordable housing, and support services so residents can thrive.”
On the ground level, retail partner Primestor is creating more than 64,000 square feet of commercial space that will be anchored by Target and will include additional complementary retail use, with a focus on local businesses. The retail and commercial space will generate an estimated 155 full-time jobs; in the meantime, through a local-hire program, the construction of Evermont itself will provide an estimated 120 new job and training opportunities for the local workforce.
“Primestor was founded 30 years ago as a response to the 1992 Civil Unrest; and for those last 30 years, the land at this intersection has been a reminder to the community of those traumatic days, and its aftermath,” commented Leandro Tyberg, President and Co-Founder, Primestor Development. “Being a part of the Evermont development is a sincere honor and privilege, as well as a tremendous responsibility. We are committed to doing our part to help our underserved communities have home-grown leadership, self-representation, safety, unprecedented opportunity and access to meaningful jobs, essential retail services, and quality housing.”
Located along the Vermont Corridor, the site is home to the second busiest transit stop in the entire Metro system. Additional key features of the development include a new, landscaped public transit plaza located on Vermont Avenue, plus improved pedestrian and cycling connections to other community facilities. The future LEED Certified facilities will be connected by a 22,000-square-foot plaza with a five-story parking structure to serve both commercial and residential tenants.
Financial partners include JPMorgan Chase Bank, Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), County of Los Angeles Measure H, Citibank N.A., Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) Proposition HHH, California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD), US Bank Trust Company, National Association, Enterprise Community Investment, California Strategic Growth Council, Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Genesis LA, Los Angeles Development Fund, and TELACU.
Evermont was designed by California-based TCA Architects. Walker Consultants designed the parking garage, and the general contractor is Suffolk. Oversight and construction management for the 4.1-acre development site is being provided by international construction consultants, Cumming Group.
Earlier, the first phase of construction saw the development of the SEED School of Los Angeles, the county’s first public charter boarding school that prepares students for careers in transportation infrastructure, STEM, and the humanities. The school broke ground in October 2020 and will welcome its inaugural class in August 2022.
About TCA: Founded in 1993, TCA Architects are nationally recognized leaders in high-density, mixed-use, multifamily housing, dynamic retail and signature hospitality environments. The firm’s collaborative approach and industry leading technological expertise have resulted in award-winning, sustainable projects that respect our communities and the environment. With studios located in Oakland, Los Angeles and Irvine, California, TCA is one of the nation’s fastest growing architectural firms. For more information on TCA, its design talent and current projects, visit www.tca-arch.com
About BRIDGE Housing: BRIDGE Housing’s mission is to strengthen communities and improve the lives of residents, beginning–but not ending–with affordable housing. A leading nonprofit developer and owner of affordable housing, BRIDGE creates and manages a range of high-quality, affordable homes for families and seniors in California, Oregon and Washington. Since it was founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the development of more than 18,000 homes. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com
About the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD): CRCD’s overall approach is neighborhood-based community development. The nonprofit organization has a long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in South Los Angeles, focusing on youth in the community and assisting them with education, opportunities to pursue career pathways, and meeting basic needs such as adequate housing. CRCD also addresses longstanding neighborhood conditions in South Los Angeles – such as poverty, unemployment, public safety issues, and the lack of affordable housing. Since its founding in 2005 by concerned community members, CRCD has partnered in a combined investment of $125 million in South LA housing and real estate, including 370 units of permanent supportive and affordable housing, plus a community space for support services, youth programs, adult workforce development, reentry services, a drop-in center for homeless youth, and commercial space for social enterprise. Learn more at www.coalitionrcd.org
About Primestor: Primestor is a purpose-driven developer with a mission to unite, empower, and inspire communities to achieve their highest potential. The Evermont project will stimulate a local economy by creating new jobs, facilitating workforce development, and sponsoring year-round activities for the residents of the community.