When Mika Company was evaluating the viability of purchasing a commercial property for renovation, they contracted with DACM Project Management to provide a Feasibility Study and Conceptual Phase Construction Cost Estimate. The 3-story unreinforced masonry building under consideration is located in an industrial section of downtown Los Angeles. This building and subterranean basement was being considered for conversion to Artist-In-Residence lofts / studios. At the time the Feasibility / Conceptual Estimate was prepared, the structure was completely uninhabitable and had been abandoned for a number of years. Preliminary analysis suggested a viable design would subdivide the first, second, and third levels into 10 residences per floor. Additionally, the current basement would be converted into a subterranean parking garage by excavating a ramp down from the street alongside the building to provide vehicular access.

Due to the age of the building, the exterior red brick walls did not meet current standards and would require significant structural steel upgrades to comply with seismic code requirements. No elevators, air conditioning, heating, fire sprinklers, or fire alarms installed during the initial construction and as part of the renovations, these systems would be added. In addition to requiring construction of all interior walls, the scope of work was also to include refurbishment of all fire escapes, a pressurization of all stairwells, the installation of new doors and windows throughout, and the addition of an exhaust evacuation system, carbon dioxide monitoring system, and coiling grille door at the subterranean garage area.

When DACM Project Management presented its Feasibility / Conceptual Estimate to our client, Mika Company abandoned its efforts since the cost of the improvements were too great for the venture to ever be profitable.