O
rthopedic surgeon Dr. Babak Samimi plans to replace a shuttered pool hall in Santa Monica with a three-story medical office building. The 23,600-square-foot structure would be built at 1901 Wilshire Boulevard and feature a "personal training space" on the ground floor, along with an outpatient surgery center. A parking lot for 22 cars would be located behind the building.

    The design, by Michael W. Folonis Architects, features a silver rectangular shape clad in a translucent material. An open terrace on one corner would offer views into the lobby, which contains a black internal stairway. The project has been recommended for approval by the City of Santa Monica's Architectural Review Board.

    This development is part of a trend along Wilshire Boulevard, where medical offices are becoming more common. Nearby, Cypress Equity Investments is working on several multi-story projects, including a 531-unit apartment complex at 2601 Lincoln Boulevard. Dr. Samimi leads the Samimi Orthopedic Group, which has offices in Brentwood, West Covina, and Sherman Oaks.