New Anchor Strategies for North America’s “Great Mall Sorting”

by Patricia Kirk | Urban Land Institute

Australia-based Westfield Group converted a former Sears store in Canoga Park, Calif., to Topanga Social, a 55,000-sf food hall that features more than 25 vendors and seats nearly 800 diners. “The whole idea of putting in entertainment is to attract families and extend their visit—eat, maybe see a movie, and then shop,” said Latella, noting that entertainment facilitates cross-shopping opportunities, and the longer people stay, the more they spend.

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Beyond the Warehouse: Reimagining Industrial Spaces as Vibrant Communities

by Richard Clarke IV | AO

Innovative cities and developments are redefining industrial spaces by seamlessly integrating them into vibrant communities, transcending traditional norms. Rather than isolating massive industrial complexes in peripheral zones, forward-thinking cities are embracing the concept of mixed-use industrial master planned developments that serve the needs of a diverse population.

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AO Announces New Associates

by Sumer Bowles | Orange County Business Journal

AO, a premier full-service architecture firm renowned for its expertise in commercial and multifamily design, proudly recognizes the promotion of 12 key employees to the position of Associate. The following AO team members were promoted: Minami Baum, Aaron Childs, Ether Dai, Genaro Diaz, Rio Garcia, Brenda Gutierrez, Justin Hebenstreit, Romeo Mangalus, Steve Osdale, Scott Rutledge, Chandni Thacker, and Tu Tran.

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AO’s Mark In Riverside

by Civil + Structural Engineer

Once home to Riverside's first fire station, a livery stable, and an automobile dealership, a historic structure is being reimagined and incorporated into a seven-story mixed-use podium project with 22,000 square feet of retail space and 165 apartment units.

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Q&A With Nick Gomez Dir. of Modular Design and Construction at AO

by Offsight

In this interview, we hear how Nick and his team work closely with owners during the modular design and construction process and hear his feedback for architects looking to design for modular projects and owners assessing whether to undertake these projects.

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Experience Is The New Anchor: The Top 5 Design Considerations For Experiential Retail Centers

by Rob Budetti, Managing Partner, AO | Mann Report

Retail centers are evolving, with experience at the forefront and entertainment venues emerging as the new anchors. Consumer expectations are at an all-time high, driving retailers to engage customers like never before. Gone are the days when shopping centers relied on products to drive sales.

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AO Announces Additional Promotions

by Mann Report

Full-service architecture firm AO is continuing its 50th-anniversary celebrations with additional promotions, including naming William (Bill) Perkins, AIA, LEED AP Principal, marking a significant milestone in his career since joining AO in 1999. Additionally, five senior associates have been promoted: Damian Daniel, Christopher Gutierrez, José Ho, LEED AP, BD+C, Ryan Labrum, and José Mendez.

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TownePlace Suites By Marriott Planned In Palm Desert

by Toni McAllister | Patch

An extended-stay hotel from Marriott is planned on a 2.87-acre vacant parcel in Palm Desert. The Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission has pored over design plans of the four-story, 128-room, 67,568-square-foot TownePlace Suites by Marriott eyed for the empty land east of Monterey Avenue, south of Interstate 10, and north of Dinah Shore Drive.

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On the Move: AO Announces Two New Partners: Ruba Awad-Moran and Paolo Leon

by Sumer Bowles | Orange County Business Journal

AO, a leading full-service architecture firm with design expertise spanning the full commercial real estate spectrum, is proud to announce two new partners: Ruba Awad-Moran and Paolo Leon. Both new partners formerly served in the role of Principal at AO.

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Plans to Build One of the Tallest Buildings in the World Set in Downtown Oklahoma City

by The Oklahoma News Report

The Oklahoma News Report, hosted by Rich Lenz, is a weekly in-depth exploration of news and issues affecting all Oklahomans, featuring topical information and meaningful stories that provide context and meaning to educate and engage every citizen across the state. For more information about The Oklahoma News Report.

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The Urban Influence on Today’s Retail Offerings

by California Centers

The desire to diversify offerings, provide more outdoor space and accommodate today's shopper has brought about an urban design and feel to California's shopping centers - even the ones in suburbia. "Society has fallen in love with the urban fabric of our downtown city centers," explains David McCullough, principal at McCullough Landscape Architects in San Diego.

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AO Appoints New Director of Human Resources

by AO

Jennifer leverages over three decades of expertise in fostering collaborative people operations and driving human resources initiatives. Throughout her dynamic career, she has held key roles across a spectrum of industries, from startups to mid-sized companies, spanning technology and financial services, to advertising and mental healthcare.

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Site Prep Underway for 84 Apartments at 400 E. Adams Boulevard

by Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA

At the intersection of Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard in Historic South-Central, an automobile repair shop has made way for new multifamily housing from a Beverly Hills-based development firm. After securing permits in October 2023, Markwood has commenced site preparation for a new 84-unit apartment complex which will rise at 400 E. Adams Boulevard. Plans call for a mix of studio and one-bedroom dwellings above parking for 42 vehicles.

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Top 60 Parking Structure Architecture Firms for 2023

by Building Design+Construction

Choate Parking Consultants, Page Southerland Page, Gensler, AO, and Elkus Manfredi Architects top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest parking structure architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.

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Matteson Capital and AO Partner to Build Tallest Building in U.S

by AO

Matteson Capital, a multifaceted real estate investment and development company operating since 2004, and AO, a leading full-service architecture firm with design expertise spanning the full commercial and multi-family real estate spectrum, announced today that they will request a variance from the City of Oklahoma City to increase the height for one of the towers in the already entitled development known as The Boardwalk at Bricktown. If approved, the height variance will make the structure the tallest building in the United States and currently the fifth tallest in the world.

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Affirmed Housing Building 2 Affordable Projects

by Ray Huard | San Diego Business Journal

Affirmed Housing is starting construction of affordable housing apartment complexes in Del Sur and Rancho Bernardo, one of which will include commercial space that the company will use as its new corporate headquarters.

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California-Based Dink & Dine Pickle Park Proposed for Mesa Riverview Shopping Center

By Ron Davis | Phoenix Business Journal

A new-to-market pickleball concept, Dink & Dine Pickle Park, is eying an expansion to Mesa Riverview shopping center. A new pickleball and nightlife concept has its sights set on a Mesa shopping center for its first Arizona location. Earlier this month, Newport Beach, California-based Dink & Dine Pickle Park filed plans with the city to retrofit two Mesa Riverview buildings at 1017 N. Dobson Road.

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Dated Marina at the West End of Harbor Island will be Demolished, Rebuilt as $50M Resort-Like Facility

by The San Diego Union-Tribune

Built between 1970 and 1972, the 26-acre marina at 2040Harbor Island Drive on the western most portion ofHarbor Island, a landmark familiar to locals who frequented the once-popular-but-now shutteredBoathouse Restaurant, is long past its prime.

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The Monroe Would Bring 200 Apartments + Retail to 701 Myrtle Ave. in Monrovia

by Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA

An office park in Old Town Monrovia is poised to make way for a mixed-use residential development, per a notice circulated by the City of Monrovia. The proposed project from Blake Griggs Development, dubbed "The Monroe," would rise from an approximately 1.6-acre property at the southwest corner of Myrtle and Olive Avenue, roughly one mile north of the A Line's Monrovia Station.

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Cambria Hotel Nears Completion at 3525 N. San Fernando Boulevard in Burbank

By Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA

The six-story development from Choice Hotels, located at 3525 N. San Fernando Boulevard, sits directly across the street from Metrolink's Burbank Airport - North Station, which is served by the Antelope Valley Line. When open next month, the hotel will offer 150 guest rooms in addition to a bar, a fitness center, and meeting spaces.

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