Downtown's high-rise boom is gradually creeping north into the fortress-like environs of Bunker Hill.

Earlier today, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles to raze a portion of the World Trade Center complex at 350 S. Figueroa Street to construct a 41-story tower featuring up to 570 residential units. The project's case filing indicates a location at 4th and Figueroa Streets, and calls for replacing a portion of the existing building's garage and retail concourse.

Built in 1974, the World Trade Center is seated atop a hulking parking structure that spans a full city block bounded by 3rd, 4th, Figueroa and Flower Streets. Its most visible components are an L-shaped 10-story office building fronting 4th Street, and a series of tennis courts which top its garage.

Some form of redevelopment for the property has been speculated since last summer when its tennis courts were closed to the public. Observers have also noted that that Metro's new Regional Connector subway will have a station located nearby at 2nd and Hope Streets.

The World Trade Center is currently listed amongst the portfolio of Jamison Services, Inc., which paid $52-million for the property in 2004.

The project at 350 S. Figueroa Street would be the latest in a series of planned high-rise developments for Jamison, which is a partner on the Circa project near Staples Center, and has plans for several towers in Koreatown.