174-Unit Apartment Complex Approved at Inglewood-LA Border

A significant new housing development that could impact Inglewood’s northern neighborhoods has received approval from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. The 174-unit apartment complex will be constructed at the intersection of Knowlton Street and La Cienega Boulevard, directly adjacent to Inglewood’s city limits.

The project, known as “The Legacy,” will replace several existing buildings with a modern multi-structure development. Spearheaded by a company linked to Sacramento-based IRC and Associates, the complex will be located at 5201 W. Knowlton Street and 6865 S. La Cienega Boulevard, an area that serves as a transition zone between Inglewood and Los Angeles’ Westchester neighborhood.

For Inglewood residents living near the northern border with Los Angeles, the development represents a significant change to the neighborhood landscape. The new complex will offer a variety of housing options, including studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, potentially increasing housing availability for the greater area.

“Border developments like this one affect both cities,” said Maria Gonzalez, a housing advocate who works with communities in both Inglewood and Westchester. “While it’s technically in Los Angeles, the new residents will likely shop, dine, and participate in community life in both cities given the location.”

The development will include 32 affordable housing units—23 for very low-income households and 9 for low-income renters. These affordable components made the project eligible for state density bonus incentives under California Assembly Bill 1287, allowing for increased building size and unit count beyond existing zoning regulations.

Since its initial submission to the Planning Department in 2022, the project has expanded from 145 units to 174 units, reflecting the impact of recent state legislation designed to address California’s housing crisis by increasing density in urban areas.

Designed by Vanos Architects, “The Legacy” will feature four- and five-story structures with amenities including shared community spaces and landscaped courtyards. The complex will also include 193 parking spaces, addressing some concerns about increased parking pressure in surrounding neighborhoods.

For Inglewood’s northern communities, the development could bring both opportunities and challenges. New residents may patronize Inglewood businesses and contribute to the local economy, but increased density could also affect traffic patterns along La Cienega Boulevard, a major north-south corridor connecting Inglewood to Los Angeles.

This project adds to a growing number of large-scale residential developments underway in the Westchester area, including a recently approved 489-unit mixed-use development by Cityview. The trend reflects the increasing desirability of neighborhoods in and around Inglewood, particularly as the city continues to develop as an entertainment and sports destination.

Inglewood city officials have not yet issued formal comments on the development, though past cross-border projects have typically involved coordination between the two cities on traffic management and infrastructure planning.

This story draws on reporting from The Pride LA and Los Angeles Department of City Planning documents.