Century West Partners has broken ground at the first phase of its latest development in Downtown Santa Monica, according to photos by real estate agent Blake Alexander.

The Lincoln Boulevard Collection, located at the southeast corner of Lincoln and Colorado Avenue, will consist of two separate buildings featuring approximately 280 apartments and 25,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The first phase of the development, located directly at the intersection, consists of a five-story building with 90 apartments, over 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and two levels of basement parking for up to 168 vehicles.

Michael W. Folonis Architects designed the mid-rise structure, which is higlighted by a double-height plaza space located directly at the corner of Lincoln and Colorado. The U-shaped apartment levels will wrap around a podium amenity deck.

The site of the project's larger second phase - featuring 180 dwelling units - is being used as a staging area for construction.

The property sits a short distance east of the Expo Line's Downtown Santa Monica terminus, and joins a 64-unit affordable housing complex that is now under construction across the street.