Construction begins on South L.A. mixed-use development Evermont

July 15, 2022
By Isabel Sami

Construction has begun at a long-vacant lot at the corner of Vermont and Manchester avenues in South L.A. for a mixed-use development called Evermont.

Plans for the site include 180 affordable homes for seniors and families, retail stores, a transit plaza and a Metro training facility.

Left vacant since 1992 following the Los Angeles riots, the four-acre parcel of land will be transformed into a hub for community growth and retail space.

Construction on Evermont is anticipated to be completed in 2024.

The idea for the project began in 2018, when co-developers Bridge Housing, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) and Primestor Development engaged with the historically marginalized and under-resourced community, where 78% of residents earn low to moderate incomes.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said the development will create “physical spaces that will redefine our communities” while investing in job growth and sustainable community development that will directly impact the lives of South L.A. residents.

“Evermont is a promise kept to the surrounding communities of Vermont and Manchester that I am proud to represent,” Mitchell said. “Reaching the construction stage has been a herculean lift and true collaboration that exemplifies the strength in public-private partners.”

Vista@Evermont, one of two residential components of the project led by Bridge Housing and CRCD, will offer 62 permanent supportive housing apartments for seniors who have experienced chronic homelessness.

Luminus@Evermont will feature 118 affordable homes for families with low incomes, including 60 permanent supportive housing units, combining affordable housing with wraparound health, behavioral health and social services for people who have experienced chronic homelessness.

The first phase of construction began in October 2020 to build out the Seed School of Los Angeles County, the county’s first public charter boarding school specializing in preparing students for careers in transportation infrastructure, STEM and the humanities. The school will welcome its inaugural class this August.

On the ground level, more than 64,000 square feet of commercial space is being built, anchored by Target, and will include additional complementary retail use with a focus on local businesses.

Created by retail partner Primestor, the retail and commercial space will generate an estimated 155 full-time jobs, while the construction of Evermont will provide an estimated 120 new job and training opportunities for the local workforce through a local-hire program.

Evermont was designed by TCA Architects and Walker Consultants, with construction management by the Cumming Group and Suffolk serving as the general contractor.

Mike Harvey, project manager at construction consulting company the Cumming Group, said the project will benefit both the community and private developers.

“As the Vermont Manchester Transit Priority Project reaches this momentous stage, we are excited to bring this much-needed affordable housing and retail space to life to help support the local community,” Harvey said. “This project has been a beacon not only for the community, but us as an organization as well. We hope collaborative projects like this continue to bring together communities, local governments and private developers so we can serve as shepherds in revitalizing our neighborhoods.”