The 670 Mesquit development is a major new project approved for L.A.’s Arts District. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), it will bring residential homes, office space, a hotel, retail, and a public deck over the rail lines. This article breaks down what’s planned and why it marks a big change for the riverfront.
The plan includes four connected towers, with the tallest one reaching 34 stories. In total, the project will add about 894 new homes to the area, including 144 affordable units for low-income residents. It will also include office space, a 271-room hotel, and a mix of restaurants, shops, and art galleries at ground level. A charter elementary school is also part of the design. One of the most exciting features is a large public deck that will stretch across the train tracks, letting people walk right up to the L.A. River.
BIG’s design blends the old and the new. The buildings are shaped to echo the look of the neighborhood’s historic warehouses. They step down gradually toward the river, creating rooftop spaces and open-air balconies that give the buildings a softer, more human feel. The team says the design was inspired by warehouse lofts and mid-century Case Study Houses, known for their open floor plans and indoor-outdoor living.
The landscaping, led by Studio-MLA, adds even more green space to the project. Plans include rooftop gardens, walking paths, and decks that float between the buildings and the river. These areas will be filled with native plants and shaded seating, giving people places to relax, meet up, or simply enjoy some quiet time near the water.
670 Mesquit has been in the works for a long time. It was first introduced in 2016 and just got final approval from the Los Angeles City Council in July 2025. Construction could begin all at once and take about five years to finish, or it could be done in phases over a longer period of up to nine years. An official start date has not been announced yet.
Once complete, the development will transform what was once an area of cold-storage warehouses into a lively neighborhood filled with homes, shops, jobs, public green space, and new access to the river.
“Architecture is the art and science of making sure that our cities and buildings fit with the way we want to live our lives,” said BIG architect Bjarke Ingels. It’s one of the biggest changes coming to downtown L.A. and a major step forward in rethinking the city’s riverfront.
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