A planned 116-condominium mixed-use development could completely transform Monterey Park’s downtown corridor.
The as-of-yet-unnamed development, planned for 127 N. Garfield Ave., would be built on land that’s currently home to Hong Kong Supermarket and smaller businesses within. Temple City-based developer Golden Valley Place is working with architecture firm LCW Group and design firm Studio T Square 2 on the project.
Renderings of the development made available this week show an avant garde mixed-use design that includes two six-story towers connected by several bridges.
While the first two levels of each would be dedicated to retailers, the open space in between has been designed similar to popular Asian night markets emulated by the 626 Night Market, lead consultant Li C. Wang of LCW Group said.
“The original design was one building, but it lacked open space,” Wang said. “Night markets are popular in the San Gabriel Valley, so we wanted to integrate that into the design even though it meant less space for condo units.”
The development will not directly affect the city’s central intersection at Garfield and Garvey Avenue, though portions of it will connect with both both streets. Its major front face will be along Avondale Avenue between Garfield and Baltimore Avenue.
Hong Kong Supermarket’s lease is up in 2019, so ground will not break until later that year at the very earliest, Wang said. Plans still need to go through the normal development process. The city’s planning staff has been very supportive so far, Wang added.
As a San Juan Capistrano-based architect, Wang said that the Monterey Park development will look much more like work he has done in Orange County, which, in general, features more modern architecture.
“Monterey Park is an old city with lots of old developments,” Wang said. “Its architectural style really needs to be renewed.”
