The Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved Henry Thorns’ proposed 11-unit apartment complex at 508 W. Van Buren Ave. during its June 17 meeting.
Henry Thorns is the owner and developer. KME Architects, LLC is the architect, landscape architect and project representative.
The five-story apartment complex will total 22KSF. Two of the 11 units will be dedicated as affordable units, which accounts for 18% of the overall unit count. The five-story complex will be constructed on a 0.16-acre site.
Affordable units will be intended for residents making 80% of the area median income. The units will remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years.
As the project contains an affordable aspect, the City of Las Vegas is allowing an increase of the maximum height from three stories to five.
The apartment complex will be entirely comprised of two- and three-bedroom units. There will be seven two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units.
The first floor will feature an access-controlled parking garage, storage area and utilities. The second floor will contain amenities and two residences. Amenities include a gym and a workspace. The remaining three floors will exclusively feature residential units.
According to the justification letter submitted by KME Architects, “The exterior of the building will consist of a stucco façade with metal railings and a breeze block screen. The building will feature large windows for the amenity spaces as well as for the residential units.”
The design is described as contemporary and mid-century modern. The preliminary elevation plans reveal the color scheme will be primarily made up of white with black accents. Additionally, units will have patios.
A six-foot-tall, grey decorative CMU wall will surround the western and eastern property lines, while a decorative metal fence will line the northern and southern lines.
Developers requested a Waiver of Development Standards to allow eight on-site parking spaces, where 10 would typically be required. Council approved this request, noting the walkability of downtown and available on-street parking. The site is near transit stops on D Street, H Street, Owens Avenue and Harrison Avenue.
The undeveloped site is surrounded by more undeveloped land on its southern and western sides. To the north sits an existing residential duplex, and the east features a residential single-family home.
Vehicle access will be provided via Van Buren Avenue, while an alleyway at the other side of the building will serve as the exit.
