Developer approved to build 117 townhomes on Gallatin Medical site
Photo by Pam Lane/DowneyDailyPhotos.com
DOWNEY − After a green light from city officials last week, KB Home is expected to build more than 100 townhomes at the former Gallatin Medical Center site later this year.
The Los Angeles-based home builders and designers are calling the new contemporary complex Centerpointe. Based on plans submitted to the city, the development will feature 117 three-story townhouses that each come with a two-car garage.
Vacant for more than a decade, the 6.5-acre property at 10734 Paramount Blvd. includes three separate lots that lie in between 5th and 7th streets. The largest lot is 241,000 sq. ft. and once housed three medical buildings known as Gallatin Medical Center. The two smaller lots were previously used for surface parking.
Gallatin Medical Center was demolished in the early 2000s and health group PIH has maintained ownership of the lot ever since, but city officials said PIH has entered a sales agreement with KB Home, who will now acquire the property.
City officials could not say how much the property was being sold for.
Once construction is complete, KB Home will subdivide the acreage into 120 individual lots so each future owner will not only own their building, but the underlying land as well. Currently, three floor plans ranging from two-four bedrooms are included in the Centerpointe development proposal. The living area options start at 1,750 sq. ft. and go up to 2,215 sq. ft.
Plans also call for three common lots, which will incorporate driveways, covered seating areas, a tot lot, landscape areas, and 69 open parking spaces for guests. Since the development in within Downtown Downey, staff worked with KB Home to ensure there was extra parking onsite.
Structurally, the Centerpointe design calls for contemporary elements with a combination of stucco, lap siding, and metal awnings. The exterior of the townhomes will feature warm shades of blue, grey, orange and ivory.
Senior city planner David Bluementhal said the application is now in an appeal period until June 18. KB Home is free to begin construction any time after that date.