Design Architect:

Matthew McLarand

Associate Architect or Firm:

NA

Landscape Architect:

Melendrez

Owner / Developer:

Holland Partner Group

Project Data:

Completion Date:     10/1/2018

Square Footage:      183999

Building Use:           Residential units for urban professionals, millennials and young families

Project Description:

DESIGN INTENT: The tower’s massing and the articulation of the exterior skin respect the fabric and context of the Historic Core of DTLA. The north and south ends of the building step back at the 75 foot level to match the
surrounding street wall datum, and the façade changes from a traditional expression through its use of vertical and horizontal glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels to a more contemporary and transparent glass box above
the 150’ high datum. From the street level, you almost don’t perceive that the tower is a hundred feet taller than the surrounding historic structures, and the continuity of the GFRC skin from the residential levels down to the ground
floor integrates and partially conceals it’s 4 levels of above grade parking. SITE CONDITION: Surface Parking Lot

This new mixed- use development is located at the southern end of the Historic Downtown Core bordering the northern end of the Fashion District. The 24- story high- rise tower replaced a surface parking lot on a .89 acre site at
the north west corner of 8th & S. Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. The project provides 275 apartments with a mix of studios, one- , two- , and three- bedroom units as well as some 2- story town home units as well as 612 parking
spaces which includes 66 clean air / electric vehicle stalls located above and below grade. The ground floor offers 8,750 square feet of commercial space which will consist of a 5,000 square foot restaurant anchor as well as a café, and other retail spaces. This tower along with its sister project across the street has helped to extend the transformation of the Historic Core into a vibrant and emerging community.

The project’s sustainable design provides for increased energy efficiency, water conservation, and the maximizing of on- site open space for the enjoyment of the residents. It’s high- performance floor to ceiling glazed window wall
allows residents to enjoy spectacular views above the historic core rooftops while minimizing heating and cooling loads. Low flow plumbing fixtures save water, and an on- site storm water retention tank prevents run- off. It’s 240’
high rooftop contains a central HVAC plant with a high efficiency domestic hot water system and evaporative cooling towers while still allowing for almost 4,200 square feet of roof deck amenity space featuring large, tree filled, planter
areas and expansive views of the Bunker Hill Skyline and Elysian park to the north, the Financial District to the west, the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south, and the hills of City Terrace to the east. Occupied roof decks provided at
the street wall datum and above the parking structure boast luxury amenities such as rooftop lounges, fitness center, business center, resort- style swimming pool and entertainment lounge with kitchen. The design is a blend of old
and new, drawing inspiration from the historic context of the neighborhood, and marrying that with state- of- the- art construction and residential amenities.

1. Design for Integration: The continuity of the glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels and window wall skin from the residential levels down to the ground floor allows the building to integrate with the fabric of the historic downtown core while also blending the parking levels above grade with the residential levels above.

2. Design for Equitable Communities: The building massing and exterior was designed to respect and respond to the historic core even though it is almost 100’ taller than most of the surrounding structures. The north and south ends of the building step back at the 75’ level to match the surrounding street wall datum. At the 150’ datum, the façade changes from the more traditional expression to a more contemporary and transparent glass box.

3. Design for Ecology: It’s high-performance floor to ceiling glazed window wall allows residents to enjoy spectacular views above the historic core rooftops while minimizing heating and cooling loads.

4. Design for Water: The project’s sustainable design provides for increased energy efficiency, water conservation, and the maximizing of on-site open space for the enjoyment of the residents. Low flow plumbing fixtures save water, and an on-site stormwater retention tank prevents run-off. It’s 240’ high rooftop contains a central HVAC plant with a high efficiency domestic hot water system and evaporative cooling towers while still allowing for almost 4,200 square feet of roof deck amenity space featuring large, tree-filled, planters.

5. Design for Economy: The unit mix is weighted with studios and two bedrooms which helps keep the rents affordable for single tenants and roommates alike. 43% of the units are studios (averaging approximately 550 square feet) and 33% of the units are two bedrooms with two baths which promote sharing the cost of a larger unit with a roommate.

6. Design for Energy: The building’s glassy façade allows for expansive views of the Bunker Hill Skyline and Elysian Park to the north, the Financial District to the west, the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south, and the hills of City Terrace to the east. However, this large degree of transparency must be offset by a high-efficiency cooling system to offset the inevitable solar heat gain. The project utilized state-of-the-art high-efficiency pumps, fans, and other equipment to meet California’s rigorous energy efficiency requirements.

7. Design for Wellness: Occupied roof decks provided at the street wall datum and above the parking structure boast luxury amenities such as rooftop lounges, fitness center, business center, resort-style swimming pool and entertainment lounge with kitchen.

8. Design for Resources: The tower is a structure comprised almost entirely of concrete, steel, glass, and aluminum. All of which are exceptionally durable and to a large degree recyclable. There is no carpet in any of the residential units which minimized the use of petroleum polymers by opting instead for a luxury vinyl plank which has a much longer life cycle than carpet.

9. Design for Change: The project is in the historic downtown area just east of the Theater District and north of the Fashion District. Along with its sister project across the street, it has seeded approximately 600 new residential units in the central core. It’s a short walk to the 7th street metro station, the Financial District, and Pershing Square reducing the need to own a car to get to work or to access dining and entertainment. There are almost half as many secure bike parking spaces provided in the project as there are vehicular parking spaces. The parking levels above grade are flat and have a similar exterior façade and openings as the residential levels to allow for the future re-purposing of the parking use as our dependence on the non-autonomous automobile potentially declines over future generations.

10. Design for Discovery: Our firm has designed multiple high-rise residential projects around Los Angeles since the completion of the tower, and we are always looking towards better technologies that will enhance the building’s performance as well as the user experience. One of those advancements is to enhance energy efficiency by using Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems in place of the traditional water source heat pump system for heating and cooling especially. We are also programming in more common area amenities for the residents to enhance marketability and lifestyle experience.