Reza Assemi, along with Granville and Pyramid Homes, starts construction Monday on the $20 million three-story, 80-unit Fulton Plaza apartment/office project that will encompass 2.5 acres bordered by Fulton, Divisadero, Sacramento and Broadway streets.

It will feature 16,000 square feet of commercial space and a combination of flats, townhomes and lofts in seven buildings arrayed around a central courtyard. Assemi said this is the most distinctly urban of his downtown projects, with much glass, steel and art work - an Assemi staple.

The apartments are called Iron Bird Lofts, and here's why: Architect Warren Thompson included iron bird sculptures designed by local artist Brandon Greer on portions of the exterior.

He also esigned a couple platforms for gargoyle statues on each side of the main entrance and iron balconies that resemble catwalks. And, as usual, the apartment complex features murals.

An added benefit: the project eliminates Fulton Lane, that funky connector road that ends up at a five-pronged intersection.