West Hollywood Project Homekey

In Spring of 2023, the City of West Hollywood purchased the Holloway Motel with a State of California Housing and Community Development Homekey grant. JKA was retained at the same time to design the conversion of the historic 23-room motel into transitional housing for unhoused individuals.

During a compressed design schedule of nine months, JKA and their subconsultants developed the program, design, a comprehensive approach for the replacement of all building systems, and completed plan check and construction documents. The firm also provided construction phase services through the granting of a certificate of occupancy. 

The renovated 1950s era building now provides 20 new dwelling units supported by indoor and outdoor common spaces including a warming kitchen and common area, laundry, and offices for onsite supportiveservices for the residents. Building code and accessibility deficiencies have been addressed a solar array introduced to enhance energy resilience. The former vehicle entry and orientation on Santa Monica Blvd. has been redesigned and reoriented to pedestrians with the placement new frontage landscape and an entry stair from the sidewalk. Colors and materials throughout were selected based upon either trauma-informed design principles or their association with the historic character of the structure which was maintained. Today, this former Santa Monica Blvd. tourist motel that had slipped into disrepair has a new life as a transitional home for community members in need while maintaining the ethos and spirit of a beloved character-defining landmark.

Consultant Team
DSN Group Inc.: Structural Engineering
Windward Engineers & Consultants: MEP Engineering
Forma Engineering Inc.: Civil Engineering
Tajima Open Design Office: Landscape Architecture
JAG Interiors, Inc.: Interior Design
Marx | Okubo: Accessibility Consultants