Design Architect:

Gensler

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:

Owner / Developer:

Caribou Industries Inc.

Project Data:

Completion Date:     8/31/2022

Square Footage:      477200

Building Use:           Mixed-Use (Creative Office, Residential, Retail, Fitness Center, Parking)

Project Description:

In 1957, the OC Register moved to what has become its headquarters on Grand Avenue with its signature
five-story building and parking structure. After more than 60 years of continuous use, extensive rehabilitation
is on its way. The project sits nearby to both a predominant business and transit center, so transforming the
100-year old newspaper facility into a mixed-use development seemed a natural fit. The design scope
includes the renovation of the former office building into creative office spaces, along with a ground-up 10-story
building on the northside of the site. A fitness center, residential program, parking, as well as a new
retail/F&B strip on the south portion of the site complete the design scope.

A new bridge connects the renovated OCR building and the new ten-story mixed-use facility. Located on
Grand Avenue, the three buildings offer a new façade for one of the central circulation axes in Santa Ana.
The OC Register, 160,000 sq ft in total, keeps its original geometry, and the old earth ton metal panels are
replaced to a light grey façade for a new look. The ground floor includes a deep renovation of the lobby,
auditorium, and the elevators gallery to redefine a clear flow to the new office levels. Food and beverage
spaces are added to activate the lobby.

The new 310,000 sf mixed-use building echoes the original design. It transforms the horizontal pattern from
the OCR building into a vertical and linear pattern. The 5 level parking podium looks like a solid block of
stone, whereas the office program is slightly cantilevered on top. The office space opens generously toward
the hills and provides a large sun deck. The outdoor spaces are in turn enclosed by an infinity pool and
waterfall. Lush indigenous landscaping along the perimeter subtly screes neighboring properties and
provides noise mitigation from the nearby freeway.

The three top floors are residential and include up to 14 high-end units per floor, from one-bedroom to
three-bedroom. Level 10 includes a resident lounge, ideal for interacting with other residents or providing
additional working/collaboration spaces. Each unit has a private balcony up to 8 feet deep and provides
shadow to the units below.

The bridge is one of the unique feature of this new complex, as it connects the café of the existing OCR
building on level 4 to the fitness center and food and beverage area of the new building. The7,200 sf retail
strip also activates this new area by adding a large indoor food hall and outdoor dining area.

Sunshade on the East and West façade, a green roof, photovoltaic panels, radiant slab heating + cooling and
on-site water detention encompass the sustainable strategies for both buildings. When complete, the site
will provide a new focus on vertical density and urbanization in Orange County.