The Serrano
PROJECT SUBTYPES
Date Complete
2013
Location
Koreatown, Los Angeles
Owner/Developer
American Communities
Total Units
44
Lot Area
18,637
Building Area
50,601
Awards
Conceived as a dense urban infill community in Koreatown, The Serrano reimagines the conventional stacked-unit apartment model to create a more engaging and livable environment without sacrificing efficiency. The design breaks away from the monotony of repetition typically found in multifamily housing, introducing variation and rhythm within a compact footprint.
The project features a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom family units organized around a landscaped central courtyard, with shared amenities that foster connection and community. A laundry and community room activate the courtyard, while a recreation room extends to a sidewalk-adjacent patio, offering residents a lively social space that enhances street presence, encourages interaction, and contributes to neighborhood safety through passive surveillance.
Thoughtfully scaled and community-oriented, The Serrano embodies the spirit of urban renewal in Koreatown—balancing density, design, and livability within one cohesive urban form.