Mixed-Use

Conceived as a creative base camp to a wide spectrum of creators and artist, AVA Arts District is a seven-story development in the southern half of the Arts District located in downtown Los Angeles. The site was once home to a cold storage facility and will be transfered into a new vibrant live/work mixed-use development.

The project provides 475 live/work units with ground floor retail and multiple indoor and outdoor spaces dedicated to arts, production and personal wellness on site. 20% of the live/work units allow for light industrial uses and all live/work units include a minimum of 150 SF of uninhibited working space within the unit. AC Martin is the architect of record and OFFICEUNTITLED is the design architect.

 

 

AVEN is located in South Park, one of Downtown Los Angeles’ most desirable residential neighborhoods, surrounded by landmarks such as the Staples Center and LA Live. This new, 903,000-sf transit-oriented development features 536 residential units and 14,000 sf of commercial/retail space. The residential units comprise 38 floors above ground with views of the Hollywood sign and Downtown Los Angeles skyline, and include a mix of studios, and one- and two-bedroom units, as well as three penthouse units.

AVEN occupies the entire south end of a city block, leaving space for an urban park and enabling pedestrian access across the block via a public paseo. In a similar fashion, the lobby bisects the entire development, connecting to the park and allowing for visual and physical connections to a future development on the alley side.

A unique feature of this project is its expansive amenity deck located on the seventh floor—the California Deck—where views stretch over the tree-lined streets and beyond, but still give a sense of the urban activity below. This space offers a true indoor-outdoor experience, with retractable glass walls, double-sided fireplaces, and dramatic view corridors offering exciting city vistas. It features: a grand lounge, business center, indoor-outdoor fitness center and yoga studio, private barbecue areas, communal/event kitchen, self-serve coffee and concessions, dog run and wash station, activity lawn, basketball half court, full beach volleyball court, and pool and spa. The flexibility and diversity of these spaces embodies California living at its best, day or night. It’s a small “city” on the roof—a hub of various activities promoting social collisions. Another amenity deck located on the 32nd floor—the Ojai Deck—offers a more intimate setting, with an outdoor lounge and fireside gathering space to take in the sweeping city views.

AVEN is nestled within a vibrant section of the flourishing urban community of downtown LA, providing a unique opportunity for residents to take advantage of local art and culture. It includes a six-story parking garage for 800 cars, as well as bicycle parking, and is within steps of a Metro station and a proposed downtown streetcar stop.

Situated in the heart of Downtown Honolulu, this first phase of Ward Village calls for over 500,000 square feet of new floor area. Topping out at a height of 418’, this residential tower sits atop one level of retail and six levels of parking with an expansive “Sky Lanai” at the eighth level. The 35,000 square foot open-air recreation level contains both indoor and outdoor activities, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and sense of community among residents and guests. 37 levels of ocean view residences totaling 424 units rise above the amenity terrace.

Located in the historic West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, the new mixed-use transit-oriented development will be located approximately a quarter mile from Metro’s Expo/Crenshaw light rail station. The development will include 168 studio, one-, and two-bedroom residential units; 17 of which will provide housing for extremely low income households. The 6-story 171,000 square foot project includes 5 levels of residential units and amenities over 40,000 square feet of commercial retail at the ground level. Residents will enjoy amenities including a pool, spa, gym, club room, lounge areas, and bike parking.

The design pays homage to the eclectic neighborhood fabric which includes a blend of newer contemporary buildings, midcentury and art deco commercial buildings, and Spanish style single family residences. Two-story design elements with angled walls and archways on the ground level honor the midcentury West Angeles Church, which previously occupied the site. Divisions and volumes create visual interest on the upper residential levels, while iron Juliet balconies honor the Spanish style architecture in the neighborhood. The street-facing corners of the building are designed with a modern approach to color and shape. On the front façade, the cross design of the laser cut perforated metal is a nod to the former church at the site. The rear of the building will feature set back landscaped terraces full of green vegetation to soften the edge and relate closer to the adjacent neighborhood.

Avalon Mission Valley includes 602 market rate apartments comprising 104 studios, 260 one-bedroom, 206 two-bedroom, and 32 three-bedroom apartments. The building is thoughtfully placed on the site to create open spaces and to develop a sense of community and engagement. This mixed-use facility includes a grocery store, food/beverage/retail, multiple lobbies, various apartment options, and a state-of-the-art amenity deck. To provide adequate parking for both residents and visitors, our plan includes three levels of parking stalls, some of which are subterranean. Avalon Mission Valley’s massing and building geometry are organized to interact with Snapdragon Stadium and the River Park. The views and open spaces draw pedestrians to those two essential features within SDSU Mission Valley. This interconnectivity encourages physical activity, promoting walking and biking through the various public amenities.

West Edge stands as a testament to modern urban living. The high-density, mixed-use development opens to the surrounding community through an expansive public outdoor plaza and retail promenade. Innovative residential buildings overlook these public spaces with 600 units of creative loft style and flex unit plans. The residential program includes 90 below-market-rate workforce housing units and 31 low-income units to serve the community. The mixed-use project also includes an 8-story, 200, 000 square foot office building, retail, food & beverage, and a grocer. The transit-oriented development, located less than one block from the Expo/Bundy Metro station connects residents, employees, and visitors to and from downtown Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles. The design team focused heavily on connecting the past to the present - the history of the site that includes the famous Martin Cadillac dealership (established in 1975), paying tribute to the prominence of the site that has always been part of Los Angeles’ history.

 

Inspired by classic Spanish Colonial-style architecture combined with modern amenities, this 26-acre residential community development in Ventura, California is comprised of 10 bungalows, 132 apartment homes, and 128 townhomes. Various unit sizes include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts. The project also includes high-end residential amenities such as a private clubhouse, pool, spa, tennis courts, pet park, and much more to provide world-class tenant experience. 

Situated by the public port, the residents and visitors of Portside Ventura Harbor have the waterfront view and can take an advantage of both the California weather and the location through outdoor activities such as boating and going for a jog along the pedestrian-friendly sidewalks as well as a nearby 2.5 acre public park at the other end of the site.

Designed for maximum views to the waterfront, Portico takes cues from the historic 9th Ave Terminal Building located within the specific plan and responds by adapting the proportions of the windows and monumentality of the base to this dynamic mixed use project. Additionally, given Oakland’s storied legacy as a waterfront city and powerhouse shipping port, the project also drew inspiration from the old lighthouse that was once located at the mouth of the harbor. The lens from the lighthouse had a distinct serrated profile as a way to amplify light. The project takes a contemporary interpretation of the lighthouse lens to provide distinct expression at key locations to create a beacon-like corner that faces the public park and adjacent promenade.