2021 CRE AWARDS: COMMUNITY IMPACT

MAGNOLIA SCIENCE ACADEMY #1
Location: 18220 Sherman Way, Reseda
Developer: Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation
Contractor: Oltmans Construction Co.
Architect: Franco Architects, Inc.

The Magnolia Science Academy #1 (MSA-1) project is a true example of a development making significant community impact due to the immense positive change that this project has brought to the Los Angeles community. The total minority enrollment is 93%, and 89% of students are economically disadvantaged. Even with the many socio-economic challenges that students and their families must face, MSA-1 is ranked as an above average, successful public charter school located with a 100% graduation rate.
From day one, there was a real collaborative synergy with input from all team members, including student leaders. The 2019 student leaders spoke with designers and engineers as well as reviewed plans in order to really create their “dream school.” As a result of its dedication to the school project, the graduating class of 2019 was able to witness the construction of MSA-1.
The new building sits on top of a 16,845 sf site and is built adjacent to their existing school building, which adds an additional 25,228 sf of learning space. The first and second floor includes the build-out of 20 classrooms as well as staff offices, administration spaces, and science, robotics, and tech labs. There is a rooftop play area on the third floor.

MLK COMMUNITY HEALTH BUILDING
Location: 2221 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo
Developer: Trammell Crow Company
Contractor: ConAm Building Company
Architect: HKS

MLK Community Health is a state-of-the-art 52,000 square foot medical office building located in Willowbrook. The project is the first stand-alone medical office building delivered in the dramatically under-served Watts/Willowbrook/Compton community in over 30 years. Developed in a public-private partnership with the County of Los Angeles and Trammell Crow Company, the medical office building is 100% leased by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, and was delivered just in time for the hospital’s critical ramp-up in the battle against COVID-19.  

LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER LIBERATION COFFEE HOUSE
Location: 6725 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles
Developer: Los Angeles LGBT Center
Contractor: Swinerton
Architect: ORA Architects

The café, shop and gallery concept is located within a new LGBT Community Center building and is situated on a prominent urban public corner. The space was conceived as a community living room for Center residents, employees and the surrounding neighbors. The café is operated and staffed by graduates of the LGBT Center’s Culinary Arts program which prepares LGBTQ youth and seniors from the Center for employment in the restaurant and hospitality industries. The design reflects the mission of creating a space that is welcoming to all while celebrating the community’s history.

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