LA VERNE, CA–Construction has begun on a 172-unit mixed-use community on the site of a former automobile dealership here.

La Verne Village will sit on 7.69 acres and is planned for more than 15,000 square feet of integrated residential and retail shopping and dining. KTGY Group Inc., Architecture + Planning is designing the project, which is being developed by Hutton Cos. The anticipated $43 million three-story development is located at 2855 Foothill Blvd.

The La Verne Village project will feature apartment homes integrated within the village center court. They will feature contemporary Craftsman architecture, tuck-under garages, and appliance packages including a washer/dryer in each residence.

La Verne Village will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes ranging from 670 square feet to 1,198 square feet. The apartment homes will be energy and water efficient and will include kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and European-style cabinetry. The community amenities include a pool and spa, fitness center, movie theater, business center and cable and internet access.

La Verne Village will also include alternative transportation amenities, including bicycle storage facilities and electric-vehicle charging stations.

“La Verne Village represents a collaborative effort with the local community and is text book infill, repositioning a blighted former auto dealership into the sophisticated mixed-use community this submarket is demanding," said a statement from Scott Felix, VP of Hutton Co.

David Obitz, the KTGY principal and lead designer on the project, said the design was a challenge. Density and accessibility issues for on-grade parking posed the biggest challenge. He was not immediately available for further comment.

La Verne Village's retail consists of two buildings with suites ranging from 1,100 square feet to 7,800 square feet. Both buildings offer ground-floor storefronts facing Foothill Boulevard. Retail leasing is underway by NAI Capital in Ontario. Residential pre-leasing is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and the first apartment homes are slated for occupancy in the first quarter of 2014.

As reported earlier by GlobeSt.com, KTGY Group Inc., Architecture & Planning has created two technology innovations to help facilitate projects for developers and expanding retailers.