Rem Koolhaas‘s firm OMA is one big step closer to building its first big LA project. According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, a committee has picked OMA’s design for a huge mixed-use project–to be developed by Metropolitan Pacific Capital, DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, and Clarett West Developers–for the “opportunity site” at Fourth Street and Arizona in downtown Santa Monica, and will be recommending that the city council vote in August to start negotiations with the firm. The proposed Plaza at Santa Monica would be more than 400,000 square feet and stretch to 148 feet (12 stories). It would include “a 225-room boutique hotel, restaurants, shops and a marketplace as well as cultural areas for both children and adults.” The plans also call for a central space that can be used as a performance venue, water feature, or winter ice-skating rink. The team says it would require a $330-million investment, and they’d pay the city $1.3 million in ground rent per year. Read more.
