Craig Lawson & Co., LLC
Land Use Consultants
8758 Venice Bl #200
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 310-838-2400
Fax: 310-838-2424
craig@craiglawson.com
Contact Craig Lawson


Madame Tussauds Hollywood
With the brand new 3-story, 40,000 square-foot building to exhibit their famous wax statues of celebrities, world leaders, sports figures, among others, Madame Tussauds is sure to become one of Hollywood’s biggest attractions.  Included in the approved entitlements were a Project Permit Compliance for off-site signage, deviations from the Mini-Shopping Center requirements, complex signage approvals, and an alcohol Conditional Use Permit for the proposed covered roof terrace and restaurant.
Elleven, Luma, and Evo
Elleven was the first new residential high rise condominium construction project in Downtown Los Angeles in the past 20 years.  It was joined by Luma and Evo, creating an urban village with over 600 residential loft units and 5,672 square feet of retail and restaurant space.  The three contemporary, LEED Gold complexes, located on the same city block in South Park required land use entitlements including Variances, Adjustments, Site Plan Review, and Vesting Tentative Tract maps.  These entitlements included parking adjustments, an increase in floor area ratio, a decrease in yard setbacks and open space, and obtaining Conditional Use Permits for alcoholic beverages in the new restaurants.  The Tract Map Modifications, Revocable Permits, and many meetings with the Bureau of Engineering resulted in an enhanced streetscape which includes curb extensions at the street corners, street furniture, wide sidewalks, and storm water treatment parkways.
717 Olympic
Located in the heart of South Park, across the street from LA Live and Staples Center, this new mixed-use high-rise development takes full advantage of the Downtown Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District.  Developed by The Hanover Company, this luxury project contains 26-stories, 151 apartment units, and 7,499 square feet of ground-floor retail space.  The land use entitlements included a Tract Map, Variances and Adjustments related to parking design, open space requirements, a Development Agreement, a CRA Density Variation, and a proposed Supplemental Use District for signage.  In 2008, the 717 Olympic building was voted “Best Looking New Building” by readers of the Downtown News.
The Hollywood at Yucca
The land use entitlements for this modern-style 54-unit residential condominium complex included a Height Variance, a Zoning Administrator’s Adjustment, Site Plan Review and a subdivision.  This project is located in the heart of Hollywood, east of the Hollywood and Highland project and to the north of Hollywood Boulevard.

Ashton Westwood at Wilshire/Manning
This residential apartment complex underwent an intense entitlement process, including approvals for Specific Plan Project Permit Compliance, Design Review, and a Vesting Tentative Tract Map.  Located in the residential high-rise portion of Wilshire Boulevard, just east of Westwood Village, this 6-story residential development features 64 luxury apartment units, 161 parking spaces within 3 subterranean parking levels, and a rooftop amenity terrace for its residents.

Jefferson at Hollywood
Located just east of the Hollywood and Highland complex, this 5-story, 270 unit mixed-use development with 8,500 square-feet of ground level retail use has acquired all of its entitlements and is currently nearing completion.  The land use entitlements included a Variance to increase the floor area ratio, Adjustments to reduce yard setback requirements, Site Plan Review and Alley Vacation, and a Project Permit Compliance approval to allow two super graphic signs.

Beverly Connection
The Beverly Connection revised entitlements were approved in June 2009 enabling the revitalization of this retail center at Beverly & La Cienega across from the Beverly Center.  The new entitlement approvals included a Zone Change to modify the site specific “Q” conditions, Conditional Use Permit for eight alcohol uses, Conditional Use Permit for Commercial Corner deviations and a Shared Parking Determination.  The Beverly Connection is now in the construction phase for a new retail building and associated loading dock on Beverly Boulevard, converting office space to retail, and reconfiguring and improving the tenant spaces. New tenants including Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, Loehmann’s, Staples, Ross and Corner Bakery will contribute to the successful revitalization of this commercial shopping center.
Read more in an LA Business Journal article.
AT&T Center

The AT&T Center, formerly known as the Transamerica building, underwent a renovation which added penthouse office space, updated the buildings facades, and constructed an enhanced streetscape.  Craig Lawson and Co., LLC worked to obtain the necessary approvals from the Board of Public Works for the tree removal, replacement, and construction of the new streetscape elements.
Concerto at 9th and Figueroa
Local developer Sonny Astani has made his mark in the heart of Downtown by creating a signature project.  The entitlement process included multiple Variances, Zoning Administrator’s Adjustments, Site Plan Review, and a CRA Density Variation.  Concerto is a 629-unit mixed-use development that includes two 28-story towers and one 6-story building.  It also features a mid-block paseo from Flower Street to Figueroa Street, and a Supplemental Use District application for off-site signage is pending. The Concerto residence tower is close to completion and the mid-rise building units are sold and occupied.
Toy Factory Lofts

Toy Factory Lofts is a 119-unit loft-style residential development on Industrial Street in the Artist Lofts District east of the Central City.  This is an adaptive reuse of an authentic 1924 L.A. warehouse which is comprised of live-work condominium lofts with retail services on the ground floor and open space amenities on the roof. The units range in size from 780 to 2,000 square feet in size.

Read L.A. Downtown News articles:
The Toy Factory Trio
Condo Ownership Kicks Into High Gear
Condo Market Still Going Strong
Sunset and Vine
Sunset and Vine is a unique mixed-use project in the heart of the Hollywood Redevelopment Area. The project includes a 105,000 square foot retail center and 300 residential rental units with a multi-level public parking structure. Retail tenants include Borders Books and Music, Bed Bath & Beyond, Baja Fresh, and a re-creation of the famous Schwabs drug store. It is the largest multi-family housing project to be built in Hollywood in the last 50 years.
The American Musical and Dramatic Academy

The American Musical and Dramatic Academy at 6305 Yucca Street at Vine in the heart of Hollywood. AMDA has a two-acre campus comprised of a landmark, art-deco building and a cluster of residential bungalows that will be used for student housing.

The Beacon Laundry Building
Located on Washington at Helms, this building is a natural extension of the recent improvements to the Helms Furniture District (www.helmsfurniture.com). The project preserves the historic facade of the building and includes retail space, the new Beacon Restaurant and creative office space. The Beacon Building also features a public art piece depicting an old Helms Bakery delivery trucks on the streets of Culver City.
The Archer School for Girls

The controversial relocation of The Archer School for Girls to the historic Eastern Star Home building included a full EIR, Conditional Use Permit, appeal hearings, one-year review, and mitigation monitoring.
Studio Drive-In Site

The former Studio Drive-In site in Culver City has been transformed into a mixed-use project, with 57 single family homes (on small lots), and the new Kayne/ERAS Center School for students with special needs.
Rossmore House Apartments

Rossmore House Apartments is a 121-unit, 5-story building adjacent to the Wilshire Country Club at 445 North Rossmore Avenue. The apartments will range from 725 to 1,400 square feet in size.

San Lucas Apartments

Located at 1221 & 1223 W. 7th Street and 1224 Ingraham Street west of Downtown Los Angeles.
Avalon Hotel

This project is located at 9400 Olympic Boulevard and Canon Drive, Beverly Hills

Challengers Tennis Facility

This project is located at 51st Street and Vermont Avenue

Turningpoint School

Located on National at Wesley, this conversion of an industrial building to a school campus with a new gymnasium has allowed the Turningpoint School to move into a new home.

Target La Cienega

From Fedco to Target in one year, this project involved the re-grading of the site, reconfiguration of the parking lot, and construction of a new Target Store.

The H.E.L.P. Group

This project, run by a well-known school for children with special needs in the San Fernando Valley, is located on the site of the former Washington Hospital Medical Center in Culver City, and provides a brand new campus for their Westside students and their families.

1.4 Million Square Foot Light Industrial Project

On the site of a former Lockheed Martin airplane factory emerged a, after a two-year entitlement effort.

Private Residence in Brentwood

Secured approval for fences and surrounding gates for this property.
A thriving shopping center stands on the site of the old A-One Noodle Factory.