The Riverwalk at Studio City represents the largest residential development proposal the neighborhood has seen in decades. This massive mixed-use project would transform a site at 12555 Ventura Boulevard, currently home to Pinz Bowling and the former locations of Bed Bath & Beyond and Jerry's Famous Deli, into 814 residential apartment units with approximately 76,000 square feet of commercial space.
If you're following Studio City real estate trends or considering buying or selling property in the area, this development will fundamentally reshape the Ventura Boulevard corridor between Coldwater Canyon and the Los Angeles River. As a Studio City real estate agent who's tracked every major development in this neighborhood for over two decades, I'm breaking down everything you need to know about Riverwalk at Studio City.
What Is the Riverwalk at Studio City Development?
Riverwalk at Studio City is a proposed mixed-use residential complex that would occupy an entire city block along Ventura Boulevard. The project would include three seven-story buildings with 814 residential apartment units, including 46 affordable units, making it one of the most significant additions to Studio City's housing stock in a generation.
The project site sits directly adjacent to the Los Angeles River and the North Valleyheart Riverwalk, a linear park that has become a beloved amenity for Studio City residents and outdoor enthusiasts. The development team promises to create open spaces and pathways to link Ventura Boulevard to the Los Angeles River, potentially improving pedestrian access to this underutilized recreational corridor.
Project Details: What's Being Built
Size and Scale
The Riverwalk development would include 814 total apartment units (including 46 affordable units at very low-income levels), 76,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial and retail space, 1,806 parking spaces across four levels of subterranean parking, and two-to-seven-story structures designed to step back from the Los Angeles River.
Parking and Traffic Design
One of the most significant infrastructure changes involves consolidating vehicle access. The project's main vehicular access to the parking garage will be through a new signalized entry on Ventura Boulevard, with one additional driveway on the western side and two driveway access points on Valleyheart Drive. This design would replace six existing driveways on Ventura Boulevard, potentially streamlining traffic flow along this heavily traveled commercial corridor.
Architectural Design
The architectural firm MVE + Partners is designing the complex. MVE + Partners has an established track record in Southern California, having designed major projects including the 21-story One Museum Square luxury apartment community in Los Angeles. According to the firm's project narrative, the site's sloping topography toward the adjacent river, as well as requirements to provide a mid-block crossing and step backs from the waterway, provided challenges to the design effort.
Who's Developing Riverwalk at Studio City?
The development team includes three prominent Southern California real estate players.
RC Development Inc. and Torino Companies are the property owners. According to the project website, the property has been owned and operated since the early 1980s under the long-term ownership of Cohen and Torino.
Genton Property Group serves as the entitlement lead for the project. Genton brings significant luxury residential credentials to the table, they previously developed the Four Seasons Private Residences Los Angeles, a 12-story tower with 59 residences in Beverly Grove. That project featured a $50 million penthouse and established Genton as a player in the ultra-luxury residential market.
The Approval Process and Community Meetings
The project currently requires multiple approvals from the City of Los Angeles, including Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan Compliance, a Density Bonus Determination with Off-Menu Incentives, waiver of transitional height and setbacks and stepbacks, Project Compliance review, and a Master Conditional Use Permit for alcohol service.
Public Hearing: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The City Planning Department has scheduled a virtual public hearing for April 14, 2026. The case number is CPC-2025-5697-DB-PR-SPPC-MCUP-VHCA, and details are available through the City Planning website.
SCNC Community Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The Studio City Neighborhood Council (SCNC) will host a board and community meeting on April 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Radford Studio Center. A representative from the Riverwalk development team will be present to discuss the project and answer questions.
These meetings are your opportunity to understand the project's impact on traffic, neighborhood character, and local infrastructure. I strongly encourage Studio City residents and prospective buyers to attend.
Understanding Density Bonus Incentives
Like many recent Los Angeles developments, Riverwalk at Studio City is utilizing California's density bonus law. Requested approvals include density bonus incentives to permit larger structures than would otherwise be allowed by zoning rules, with 46 of the project's apartments set aside for rent as affordable housing at the very low-income level.
This is the same mechanism used by the nearby Sportsmen's Lodge redevelopment, which was approved by the Los Angeles City Council in April 2024 for 520 apartment units with 78 units set aside as very low-income affordable housing.
Density bonus projects are contentious in Studio City. While they create much-needed affordable housing, they also allow developers to build taller and denser structures than baseline zoning would permit. The Sportsmen's Lodge project, for example, sparked appeals from the Studio City Residents Association, Erewhon Market, and the hotel workers union Unite Here Local 11, all of which were ultimately denied.
The Changing Face of Ventura Boulevard
Riverwalk at Studio City is part of a broader transformation happening along this stretch of Ventura Boulevard. To the west at Coldwater Canyon Avenue, the Sportsmen's Lodge is to be redeveloped with a mixed-use residential complex with 520 homes, and a smaller residential-retail complex is slated to replace commercial buildings directly across the street from the Riverwalk site.
If all three projects move forward, this section of Ventura Boulevard between Coldwater Canyon and Laurel Canyon will add approximately 1,400+ new residential units to Studio City's housing stock within a concentrated corridor.
A Brief History of the Site: Jerry's Deli and Pinz Bowling
For longtime Studio City residents, this site holds cultural significance. Jerry's Famous Deli opened at 12655 Ventura Boulevard in 1973 and became a beloved Studio City institution. The location was patronized by Adam Sandler, Will Smith, and the Seinfeld cast, and comedian Andy Kaufman used to bus tables at the restaurant at the height of his fame on the television show Taxi.
Jerry's Deli closed permanently in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the owners expressing hope they would return. That return never materialized.
Pinz Bowling (originally Kirkwood Lanes, dating back to 1958) remains operational on the site. The bowling alley was physically connected to Jerry's Deli, with a door allowing bowlers to order food directly from the deli's menu.
What This Means for Studio City Real Estate
For Buyers: If you're considering purchasing in Studio City, understand that this area is transitioning. The single-family residential neighborhoods north of Ventura Boulevard will remain largely unchanged, but the commercial corridor itself is becoming more urban and walkable. Properties within walking distance of new retail and dining options may see increased desirability.
For Sellers: Major developments like Riverwalk create both opportunities and challenges. Some buyers are attracted to neighborhoods undergoing revitalization; others prefer established, static communities. Positioning your property correctly in this changing market requires local expertise.
For Renters: The addition of 814+ apartments will increase Studio City's rental inventory significantly. While luxury units will likely command premium rents, the inclusion of 46 affordable units provides more options for income-qualified renters.
Studio City Development Context
It's worth noting that while Riverwalk represents a massive project for Studio City, the neighborhood has historically seen very little residential construction along the Ventura Boulevard corridor. The Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan has seen no residential construction since its inception more than 30 years ago.
This makes the current wave of development proposals, Riverwalk, Sportsmen's Lodge, and the smaller project across the street, unprecedented in recent Studio City history.
My Take as Your Studio City Real Estate Expert
I've been selling homes in Studio City since 2002, and I've never seen this level of proposed residential development along Ventura Boulevard. While change can feel unsettling, especially when it involves landmarks like Jerry's Deli and Sportsmen's Lodge, Los Angeles needs housing, and infill development along commercial corridors makes more sense than sprawling into undeveloped land.
That said, legitimate concerns about traffic, construction impacts, and neighborhood character deserve serious consideration. The April 14 and April 22 meetings are critical opportunities for the community to ask hard questions about parking ratios, traffic studies, construction timelines, and how this project will integrate with existing Studio City infrastructure.
If you're a homeowner in Studio City, I encourage you to attend the public meetings and ask questions about traffic mitigation and construction impacts, review the project renderings on the Riverwalk website (studiocityriverwalk.com), consider how proximity to new development might affect your property value, and reach out to me if you have questions about how this development could impact your home's value or salability.
Stay Informed About Studio City Real Estate
Major developments like Riverwalk at Studio City don't just change skylines, they change markets. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply want to understand how your neighborhood is evolving, having a Studio City real estate agent who tracks these projects is essential.
I've been your Studio City neighborhood expert since 2002, and I've covered every major development from the Sportsmen's Lodge to the architectural gems hidden in the hills. If you want to know how Riverwalk or any other Studio City development might affect your real estate decisions, contact me for a no-obligation market consultation.
About Debbie Pisaro: Debbie Pisaro (DRE #01369110) is a luxury real estate agent specializing in Studio City, Los Feliz, and architecturally significant homes throughout California. With over 24 years of experience and deep neighborhood expertise, Debbie helps clients navigate Los Angeles' evolving real estate market with insider knowledge and strategic guidance. Learn more at debbiepisaro.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will construction start on Riverwalk at Studio City?
The project is currently in the entitlement phase and requires multiple city approvals before construction can begin. No construction timeline has been publicly announced yet.
How many parking spaces will Riverwalk at Studio City have?
The project would include 1,806 parking spaces across four levels of subterranean parking, exceeding municipal code requirements.
Will there be affordable housing at Riverwalk Studio City?
Yes, 46 of the 814 apartment units will be designated as affordable housing at very low-income levels as part of the density bonus agreement.
What happened to Jerry's Famous Deli?
Jerry's Famous Deli at 12655 Ventura Boulevard closed permanently in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not reopened.
What other major developments are happening in Studio City?
The Sportsmen's Lodge is being redeveloped into 520 apartments, and a smaller mixed-use project is planned across the street from the Riverwalk site, all along Ventura Boulevard.
How tall will the Riverwalk buildings be?
The project includes buildings ranging from two to seven stories in height, with design elements that step back from the Los Angeles River.
Will the LA River be accessible from the development?
Yes, the project plans include open spaces and pathways linking Ventura Boulevard to the Los Angeles River and the North Valleyheart Riverwalk.
How do I voice my opinion about this project?
Attend the virtual public hearing on April 14, 2026, or the SCNC community meeting on April 22, 2026, at Radford Studio Center. You can also submit written comments to the City Planning Department.
Sources:
Riverwalk at Studio City official project website (studiocityriverwalk.com)
Urbanize LA: "814 apartments planned at 12555 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City" (October 13, 2025)
MVE + Partners architectural firm portfolio
Los Angeles City Planning Department case file CPC-2025-5697-DB-PR-SPPC-MCUP-VHCA
Historical documentation of Jerry's Famous Deli and Sportsmen's Lodge redevelopment