Published Date: 21 Apr 2025
Approved on 4/11/2025
Final Approval Letter for “The Liberty”
Note: includes updated project building plans
Our Take: A Standard-Setting ED1 Project
- High-quality affordable housing for the neighborhood near the Metro Veterans station.
- Literally, ‘outside the box’ ED1 architecture. If built as shown in the approved plans, this project achieves an innovative balance between the financial constraints of building an ED1 project with thoughtfully designed, high-spec residential spaces and conveniences.
- Patio or balcony for all units. This makes living in a micro studio (396sq ft) or small 1 bedroom (536 sq ft) much nicer, adding livable space, light and air circulation. This is very unusual for ED1 projects.
- Significant addition of new trees and shade. Installation of 18 24″-boxed trees required by Planning.
- Bike storage on every floor.
- Stacking washer/drier in each unit, eliminating the need for shared laundry facilities.
Highlights from Planning’s Approval Letter:
72 Affordable Apartments Total
- 56 for Low Income households
- 15 units for Moderate Income households
Approved ED1 Incentives:
- Density: total of 72 units
- 100% Affordable ED1 Height: +33′ over zoning for total of 78′
- Floor Area Ratio (Off-Menu Incentive): 7.09:1
- Front Yard Setback (Off-Menu Incentive): min of 5′
- Side Yard Setback (Off-Menu Incentive): min of 0′ 5″
- Rear Yard Setback (Off-Menu Incentive): min of 5′
- Open Space (Off-Menu Incentive): 0 sq ft (Note: patios and balconies for each unit serves as an open space alternative.)
- Height (Waiver): 85′ in lieu of otherwise allowed 45′
Published Date: 07 - Feb - 2025
BaBWP's TAKE
On their website, Modulyft promotes other projects demonstrating the modular-build approach in LA.
Looking more closely at their website’s promotion of “8615 Ramsgate – Phase 1” it appears the group is still fundraising for the project. However, given the modular approach to the building’s design, when the funds are in place, this project is likely to go up faster than the traditional “stick-build” approach, due to Off-site construction, then craning pieces into place.
(See BaBWP “take” below and our guess this project would take a while to break ground because the original applicant—Anthony Gude—did not appear to be well capitalized.)
Further, it does appears the project’s ED1 application with Planning has not moved off it’s “On Hold” status.
Therefore, it’s conceivable ground-breaking on this project is still some time out, as devlopers fundraise.
What we still don’t know yet: The target affordable income brackets the building intends to target.
We also are watching a general ED1 new-build trend around the Reading & Ramsgate area. Given the neighborhood’s location (close to the Veteran’s Metro train station) and the zero-parking requirement of State law for 100% affordable buildings, we can expect highly concentrated densification in this area.
As of today (7-Feb-25) these are the ED1 100% affordable high-density projects slated for this neighborhood:
Published Date: 07 - Feb - 2025
PROJECT INFORMATION UPDATES
Owner/Developer Update
- Today UrbanizeLA reported that this project developer is no longer Anthony Gude alone.
- (Note: the Planning Case file online does not reflect this change.)
- Developer now identified by UrbanizeLA as Modulyft
- Anthony Gude is now a partner at Modulyft, rather than the sole developer.
Other UrbanizeLA story details:
- Architect: Peter Demaria of Mid-Rise Modular
- Proposing 8 stories
- 72 studio and 1 bedroom units rather than the original Planning Application file figure of 82 units.
Land Use Consultant
- None listed in Planning application.
Published Date: 07 - Feb - 2025
RENDERING & PLANS
Published today in UrbanizeLA.
Published Date: 15-Dec-2024
BaBWP's TAKE
Case on HOLD per Planning file summary (see case file link below ).
In response to a BaBWP.org email checking on this application status, the assigned planner Esther Serrato replied via email on 11-19-2024 “The case has been placed on hold due to a number of missing filing materials. Once those materials are provided then case processing may proceed.”
She also indicated the case file is available for review by scheduling an appointment with Records Management @ 213-847-3753 or emailing [email protected].
Regarding the Developer
Per BaBWP.org’s research, it seems Anthony Gude has been involved funding capture for the modular multi-family construction trend. For example, in an interview he refers to fundraising for a Multifamily Industrialized Construction & Development Fund.
It is our impression that Gude does not currently have a large portfolio of ED1 projects or applications. One indication: lack of a corporate website. A second indication: the project’s incomplete initial Planning application.
Currently there are larger developers working successfully to get ED1 applications proposed and approved. One example: Tommy Beadel of HVN, who has three ED1 projects active in the Reading-Ramsgate area. Per Beadel’s project elevations, it’s pretty clear his firm has the ED1 formula down and they’re rolling out many ED1 projects throughout Los Angeles.
Therefore, it’s possible 8615 Ramsgate will proceed more slowly, given the developer’s smaller size and relative lack of ED1 development experience.
Published Date: 15-DEC-2024
WHO'S INVOLVED
Owner/Developer
- Anthony Gude
- Gude Capitol Investments
Land Use Consultant
- None listed in Planning application.
Published Date: 15-DEC-2024
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Building type: ED1 100% Affordable
# Residential Units
- 82 units
Timing
- Application filed: 4-17-2024
- Application assigned on 7-18-2024 to Esther Serrato
- Application placed on hold (no date given)
- Application status: Pending
- Construction Start Date: Unknown
- Construction Completion Date: Unknown
- Occupancy Date: Unknown
Other Specs (taken from Planning files, developer docs, etc.)
Planning Application Description: PROPOSED (N) 82-UNIT 100% AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENT BUILDING.
- Details TBD (waiting further info from Planning)
Published Date: 15-DEC-2024
WHAT THIS PROJECT IS REPLACING
Published Date: 15-DEC-2024
CITY APPROVAL & CONDITIONS LETTER
Per Planning Case look-up system, this application is on hold.
