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CARLSBAD, CA—Common-area amenities are all the rage in office development, but how about an employee lounge that features widescreen TVs, comfy sofas and a ping-pong table like Hines did with its 2051 Palomar Rd. project here? The room, which looks like it was plucked out of a Southern California home, reflects the trend toward just that—making employees feel at home and comfortable in the workspace.

More than 500 industry executives including GlobeSt.com saw the lounge firsthand when they attended NAIOP San Diego's 4^th-Annual North San Diego County Property Showcase Event & Mixer at the building. The property, which is in the process of being renovated, was purchased in December 2014 by a joint venture between Hines and Oaktree from Coxeter Family Trust for $20.7 million, according to industry sources.

Paul Twardowski, senior managing director of Hines, tells GlobeSt.com the lounge and adjacent café were one among the first spaces built out after the two-floor, nearly 200,000-square-foot space was gutted of its rabbit-warren corridors, revealing attractive wood beams that Hines could use in completing its redevelopment.

Twardowski added that he sees the space, which is partially occupied, being divided up among two or three large users whose employees would appreciate the café and lounge. In the meantime, the space was an ideal venue for mixer, which brought together North County executives for a lighthearted afternoon/evening of food, drink, games and networking.

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