L.A.’s expedited permitting process credited with faster approvals on $1 billion project

The completion of the $1 billion Metropolis development in downtown Los Angeles was aided by the city’s streamlined permitting process, according to the developer.

With the recent completion of the 56-story, 650-unit condominium tower Thea, the development provides 1,500 residences, 350 hotel rooms, and 70,000 sf of retail space. The 6.3-acre Metropolis project broke ground in 2014. Two residential towers, one in 2017 and one in 2018, as well as the Hotel Indigo, are already open.

The developer, Greenland USA, says Los Angeles Department of Buildings and Safety’s Parallel Design-Permitting Process helped it complete the project efficiently and on time. The program allows plan inspectors to check and identify elements that need correction during the conceptual design phase.

Among the benefits to the program:

· Reduces design revisions

· Earlier approvals from other agencies

· Reduced permit processing time

· Earlier starts for contractors   

· Cost savings from a shorter construction timeline