The Ford Hotel was built in 1925 and has been restored after a complete renovation transformed what had been known by the LAPD as a crime magnet and one of the worst buildings on Skid Row, into new housing for formerly homeless low income residents suffering from mental illness.

The renovation created 151 light housekeeping units with kitchenettes and full bathrooms from what had been 295 vermin and rat infested units with common bathrooms and showers. New common areas include a community and mailroom on the ground floor and laundry and lounge areas on the upper floors.

A major design decision was to remove the roof over the former dingy indoor lobby to make a open air courtyard, now surrounded with units and common areas. Landscaping and a bubbling water fountain, provide a safe outdoor gathering space for the residents.

A LEED equivalent project, the existing board formed concrete building required the reinforcing of all of its interior columns along with new shear walls and steel stud interior framing. The windows were replaced with double glazed, Low E, energy efficient glass and sash.

The ground floor facade was faced in black marble tile and the old "Ford" blade sign over the front entry was rebuilt and now announces a safe clean, and friendly place to live; the Ford now has a deep rich warm glow which and acts as a lantern on the street.