BIG Unveils 670 Mesquit: A Mixed-Use Renaissance for Los Angeles’ Arts District
The Arts District in Los Angeles is experiencing a remarkable renaissance, attracting creatives from every corner of the globe—from fine artists and designers to engineers and innovators. At the forefront of this transformation is 670 Mesquit, a bold mixed-use development designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), also referred to as Los Angeles Arts District (LAAD). The project promises to redefine the neighborhood, blending contemporary architecture with the industrial legacy that has made the Arts District a hub of urban creativity.
Embracing the Arts District’s Unique Urban Culture
BIG approached 670 Mesquit with a central question: how can the Arts District be renewed by embracing, rather than replacing, the qualities that have defined this one-of-a-kind urban environment? The answer manifests in a design that honours the area’s industrial past while introducing a modern, human-scale approach to urban living.
Situated along the Los Angeles River, 670 Mesquit is composed of four interconnected buildings, rising as high as 34 stories. The complex operates on two scales: the overarching structural framework of the buildings and the intimate, human-scale spaces customised by its future inhabitants. This dual approach bridges the gap between the industrial past and a versatile, modern future.
The Arts District Context
The Arts District sits on the eastern edge of Downtown Los Angeles, framed by Alameda Street to the west (blending into Little Tokyo), First Street to the north, the Los Angeles River to the east, and Violet Street to the south. This historic district is renowned for its warehouses and industrial buildings, many dating back to the early 20th century. Constructed with cost-efficient prefabricated concrete or steel, these structures were designed for functionality and flexibility—qualities that remain highly prized in contemporary adaptive reuse projects.
Today, the Arts District is defined by its raw industrial aesthetic, with exposed concrete, steel beams, and expansive open floors. Many historic warehouses have been retrofitted into art galleries, studios, lofts, and offices, forming a vibrant backdrop for LAAD’s design ambitions. BIG’s vision preserves this industrial character, integrating it into the new development rather than erasing it.
Historical Inspiration: Case Study Houses
In planning 670 Mesquit, BIG drew inspiration from the iconic Case Study House program, initiated by John Entenza, editor of Arts & Architecture magazine. Running intermittently between 1945 and 1966, the program encouraged architects to design low-cost, modernist homes for the post-World War II era. It helped define California Modernism, emphasising open-plan layouts, modular design, and indoor-outdoor living.
BIG translates these principles into LAAD by merging the freedom of the warehouse loft with the customisation of a stick-built Case Study House. Large modular units allow interior spaces to be subdivided according to tenant needs, creating a flexible environment that caters to residential, commercial, and public programming alike. This coexistence of industrial and human scales—warehouse and case-study house—redefines the classic architectural tension between generic and specific spaces.
Program and Design
The 670 Mesquit complex is set to include:
895 residential units, ranging from lofts to modern apartments
Office space, concentrated in the tallest tower
A hotel, located in the smallest building
A charter elementary school, supporting the growing Arts District community
Retail and recreational spaces
Green spaces and public parkland, designed in collaboration with Studio MLA
The four buildings are arranged to step downward along one side, allowing for terraces and balconies that maximise natural light and river views. The tallest structure, dedicated to office use, anchors the corner of the site, while the hotel occupies a smaller, more intimate building. The two central towers house residential units, offering a balance of scale and function throughout the development.
A notable feature is the expansive deck cantilevering over the neighboring railway, providing a public park that connects residents and visitors with the riverfront. This design decision underscores BIG’s commitment to community engagement and urban integration, making 670 Mesquit more than just a building; it’s a living extension of the neighborhood.
A Fusion of Industrial and Human Scales
BIG’s design for LAAD celebrates the industrial heritage of Los Angeles while introducing flexible, human-scale interventions. The project’s modules allow for adaptability, enabling tenants to reconfigure spaces according to their specific needs. In this way, the development honours the Arts District’s legacy of creativity, innovation, and functional beauty.
The interplay between industrial scale and individual customization also reflects a broader architectural philosophy: creating spaces that are simultaneously functional, inspiring, and responsive to the people who inhabit them. As BIG notes, “The freedom of the warehouse loft meets the individual customisation of the stick-built case study house. The coexistence of the two scales – the industrial and the human, the warehouse and the case-study house – turns the ancient dilemma between the generic and the specific inside out.”
All images courtery of BIG
Project Timeline and Local Impact
670 Mesquit has been in development since 2016, with preliminary designs released shortly thereafter. In late July 2025, the Los Angeles City Council approved the complex, marking nearly a decade of planning and community consultation. The project represents a significant addition to the Arts District, providing new housing, educational facilities, and public spaces that reinforce the area’s identity as a cultural and creative hub.
Beyond its architectural significance, LAAD is poised to boost local economic activity, attract new businesses, and enhance the Arts District’s reputation as a center for innovation. The development also exemplifies how mixed-use architecture can support sustainable urban growth while respecting the historical character of a neighborhood.
BIG in Los Angeles and Beyond
BIG recently established a Los Angeles office in Santa Monica, located in a 1928 Spanish Revival building, signalling the firm’s growing footprint in Southern California. The practice is also pursuing a similar “pixellated” mixed-use development in Toronto, currently under construction. These projects demonstrate BIG’s continued commitment to designing innovative, context-sensitive architecture that engages with both local culture and global trends.
670 Mesquit / Los Angeles Arts District is more than a new building—it is a thoughtful response to a city’s evolving identity. By merging industrial heritage with contemporary design, human-scale customization with large-scale architecture, BIG has created a development that respects the past while shaping the future. From its towering office spaces and residential modules to its cantilevered public park, LAAD sets a new benchmark for mixed-use development in Los Angeles, promising a dynamic, vibrant, and culturally rich addition to the Arts District.
As the Arts District continues to attract creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs, 670 Mesquit stands as a testament to how architecture can bridge history, functionality, and imagination, enhancing the urban fabric of one of Los Angeles’ most exciting neighborhoods.
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