Experience Is The New Anchor

By Rob Budetti, Managing Partner, AO

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. Today, customers are seeking out places that can deliver a 360-degree experience, encompassing fun activities, great food, new entertainment, as well as the latest products, goods, and services.

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Fry’s-Replacing Development Moves Forward at 6100 Canoga in Warner Center

by Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA

A proposed 1.1-million-square-foot commercial development slated for the site of the shuttered Fry's Electronics store in Warner Center has cleared a key obstacle. At its meeting on October 26, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to reject two appeals which sought to block the construction of District at Warner Center, a mixed-use complex proposed by Kaplan Companies.

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Top 190 Multifamily Architecture Firms For 2023

by BD+C Staff

Humphreys and Partners, Gensler, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, Niles Bolton Associates, and AO top the ranking of the nation's largest multifamily housing sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report

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Congratulations Jack Selman for Being Named A 2023 Orange County Visionary

by LA Times

Jack Selman’s architectural journey began in 1974 when he founded Architects Orange (AO). Starting with retrofitting a condemned building in Old Town Orange, his innate talent flourished. A graduate of UC Berkeley and an NCARB-certified architect, his passion for design fueled AO’s growth to a leading Orange County firm with 17 specialized studios.

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South Downtown to Get Another Big Apartment Project, Testing City’s New Ground-Floor Active Use Requirements

by Luke Garrott | Building Salt Lake

In south Downtown, an area long marked by light-industrial uses, car lots, repair shops, and scattered local artisans and retailers, large residential projects are becoming prominent features of the neighborhood. Locals Boyer Company have submitted design review plans for a two-building, 348-unit project between Main and West Temple on the south side of 800 South. Just to west is The Charli, the adaptive reuse and new construction building by CW Urban.

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A Coastal California City Reawakens Its Downtown

by John Caulfield | Building Design + Construction

Dana Point, Calif., is a coastal city in Orange County best known for its harbor. Lately, the city’s downtown area has become more appealing to visitors and residents alike, thanks in part to redevelopment that has created more live-work-play options. Prado West is one such project. This mixed-use development on 2.3 acres consists of three buildings that encompass 32,500 sf of retail and restaurant space, 109 apartments with 50 floor plans, and a 24-hour fitness center.

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AO Takes Home Multifamily Project of the Year at the 2023 MFE Awards

By Leah Draffen | MultiFamily Executive

Out of nearly 240 nominations, the jurors selected 12 grand winners and 11 merit winners. In addition, the jurors selected Atlas at Park & Paseo, the grand winner in the mid-rise category, as the Multifamily Project of the Year. Developed by Alliance Residential and designed by AO, Atlas is the third and final phase of Park & Paseo.

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Site Cleared for Modular Apartment Complex at 1457 N Main Street in Chinatown

by Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA

A short walk from LA Historic Park in Chinatown, a food processing facility has made way for the neighborhood's next housing and commercial development. The property, located at 1457 N. Main Street, was recently approved for the construction of a six-story structure which would contain 376 studio and one-bedroom apartments on its upper floors and 6,448 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

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Best of Both Worlds: The Gen Z Shift Towards Semi-Urban

by Ioanna Magiati and Paolo Leon | Work Design Magazine

As the first generation of digital natives, Generation Z aka Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is highly accustomed to a technology-first lifestyle. Their penchant towards digital connectivity was solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic, where Gen Z quickly adapted to technology that paved the way for remote work with programs like Zoom and Teams.

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Veil lifts for affordable housing at 2721 Wilshire Boulevard in Westlake

by Steven Sharp | Urbanize LA

The tarp is gone at 2721 Wilshire Boulevard, revealing the white exterior new affordable housing complex across the street from Lafayette Park in Westlake. The project from Los Angeles Housing Partnership and Richman Group, which replaced a surface parking lot adjacent to the historic Bryson building, consists of a new six-story edifice which will feature 64 apartments.

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ICYMI: Modular Construction Summit: Formula for Success

by The Registry

Experience the future of sustainable construction and explore the possibilities of modular multifamily development.

Speakers:
Ioanna Magiati, Partner, AO ARCHITECTS
Rick Murdock, Co-Founder & CEO, AUTOVOL
Caleb Roope, President & CEO, THE PACIFIC COS.
Randall Thompson, Senior Preconstruction Manager, NIBBI

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California-Centric Development Wins Multifamily Project of the Year

by Leah Draffen | Multifamily Executive

As the third and final phase of mixed-use Park & Paseo, Atlas is part of a transformed industrial site on 18 acres in California’s central Orange County. Neighboring the historic Marine Air Corps Station, the five-story wrap building’s unique massing and angled glass curtain walls were inspired by iconic blimp hangars that still stand nearby.

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OCBJ The List: Top Architecture Firms
OCBJ Top Architecture Firms The List

by Orange County Business Journal

Notable projects include Solis Park, The Residences at Brea, Ramsays Kitchen, Harrah's Las Vegas, DSRT Surf, Hoag Dove Canyon Medical Center, and Manila Data Center.

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Back To The Basics
Back To The Basics

by Nellie Day | Shopping Center Business

This may be the “new normal” post-COVID, but it also feels like a bygone era. At least if you visit many of today’s prominent retail centers. That’s because many architects note the current trends center around what’s familiar. They emphasize small-town charm, basic designs that maximize flexibility, and oftentimes utilize what’s already well-known and loved.

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Toll Brothers Secures $65M Financing for Phoenix Apartments

by The Real Deal

The homebuilder’s apartment division secured $65 million in construction financing from Banc of California for Henri,  a 313-unit collaboration with EJF Capital in Phoenix, Multi-Housing News reported. The development was first unveiled in October 2022, and ground was broken on the site in July.

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AMLI Residential Enters SD Market

by Ray Huard | San Diego Business Journal

A Chicago-based real estate developer, AMLI Residential, is planning its first entry into the San Diego County market with the planned construction of a Kearny Mesa apartment building. Dubbed AMLI Aero for its location at the corner of Aero Drive and Aero Court at 3585 Aero Court, the seven-story building will have 434 apartments.

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Clearwater At Glendora, Glendora, Calif.: Photo Tour

by Tracey Walker | Environments for Aging

Clearwater at Glendora in Glendora, Calif. is a two-story, luxury assisted living and memory support community comprising 117 units. Those include 188 assisted living and 29 memory care units with studio, companion, and one- and two-bedroom options.

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Costa Mesa Passed Measure K to Spur Housing. Now, a 1,050-unit Project is in the Pipeline
hive live Costa Mesa Passed Measure K to Spur Housing

by Sara Cardine | LA Times

Costa Mesa residents Tuesday got a glimpse of “Hive Live,” a 1,050-unit residential development planned for a 14.25-acre parcel currently being used as creative office space and a training field for the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Surf ATL Pool Moves Forward With New Team Additions

by Wave Pool Magazine

Surf ATL announced the addition of Brian Stovall, Brandon Lower, AO and others to the team. The company said in a statement that Brian Stovall of Icon Leisure will bring his 20+ years of expertise in venue management/operations to the project while Brandon will keep the sporting side vibrant.

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On the Move: Arthur Osorio Promoted to Vice President of Technology
Arthur Osorio Promoted VP

by Sumer Bowles | Orange County Business Journal

Leading full-service architecture firm, AO, proudly announces the promotion of Arthur Osorio to VP of Technology. In this new role, he continues to guide the firm’s technology innovation efforts while leading a team responsible for the support of existing technology solutions. Emphasizing process improvement and automation, Arthur works to ensure that every team member at AO has access to the most effective tools and resources that best serve the needs of their projects and clients.

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