Costco plans to stock apartments

The Future. A new Costco coming to South Los Angeles will be the site of an experimental residential complex — a project that could help ease the housing crisis in the city. If demand from both renters and shoppers is high, the mixed-use building could be a blueprint for similar projects in other major metros… and may inspire other retailers like Walmart and Target to get in on the action.

Shelter on the shelf
Only at Costco can you pick up a new TV, a hot dog, and an affordable home.

• The upcoming Costco, situated on a five-acre lot, will be outfitted with 800 residential units, with 184 specifically set aside for low-income residents. It’s already been approved by the city.
• The apartments will be made from prefabricated modules for easy transportation and construction, courtesy of developer Thrive Living and architects AO.
• The layout is like a “small-scale Barcelona,” per SF Gate — the apartments are stories of layered rings around a central open courtyard sitting on top of the retail store.
• The complex will also have a fitness center, a rooftop pool, gardens, walking paths, and other community spaces.

As for the Costco itself, the Los Angeles Times says it would likely be a “state-of-the-art store” with fresh produce, a pharmacy, and even an optical center.

In other words, everything a resident would need is just an elevator ride away.