IRVINE, CA—Few sites offer as much land area as is needed to create a large-scale creative-office project like Von Karman Creative Campus, which Equity Office is developing here, the firm's VP-portfolio director Rich McEvoy tells GlobeSt.com. The firm broke ground last month on the project, an expansive creative campus that aims to transform almost a full city block at the corner of Von Karman Ave. and Alton Pkwy. here into the first large-scale creative-office community in Orange County.

Amenities at the campus will include a new park-like promenade enhanced with a café, outdoor work areas, lifestyle amenities, recreational zones and social spaces that will run through the center of the project and the full length of the 24-acre campus.

We spoke with McEvoy about the significance of this project and the complexities of developing this type of space for a larger group of tenants.

GlobeSt.com: Why hasn't a large-scale creative-office project like this been developed in Orange County before now?

McEvoy: In terms of the size, the simple answer is that few sites offer as much land area with which to work. Twenty-four connected acres in the heart of Orange County's most-desired business district of Irvine is nearly impossible to replicate. Most creative projects in the area are small buildings on small parcels of land with very few amenities on site and no lifestyle services. The size of this site allowed us to design a unique creative campus that feels different than the rest and really offers more of everything for the benefit of its tenants. VKCC breaks from the monotony of traditional high-rise office projects and instead offers a collection of varied outdoor spaces and experiences lined along a new park-like promenade that runs through the center of the project from one end of the campus to the other. The combination of personal services, physical amenities and innovative office interiors, forms a one-of-a-kind workplace community.

GlobeSt.com: What are the complexities of developing this type of space for a larger group of tenants?

McEvoy: VKCC was designed to offer both small and large businesses the opportunity to better compete for employee talent. As a result, we were challenged to create a site that offered variety and didn't just cater to large tenants. Instead, we designed a campus that offers tenants of all sizes, big and small, the luxuries of a headquarters style mega campus, the likes of which is typically seen at the best places to work in places like Silicon Valley. As one of the nation's largest private owners of office, we have considerable market data and tenant feedback at our disposal. Using this information, we crafted a workplace environment that offers VKCC customer's not only what they want, but everything they need to grow and compete for talent in the years to come.

GlobeSt.com: Where do you see the creative-office trend heading as we move further into its evolution?

McEvoy: Tenants are looking beyond basic outdoor seating areas and exposed ceilings in their interiors. They are seeking a fuller-service experience to the workplace that has been largely ignored in Orange County. Equity Office is excited to lead the Orange County market in this new direction by offering occupants at VKCC top-tier hospitality services and amenities that help them stay engaged at work while improving their lives. VKCC won't simply be a place where employees come to work, but a place where they can also connect with others, recharge, innovate and thrive. The integration of complimentary on-site concierge services to assist with personal tasks, an indoor/outdoor fitness center, free group-fitness classes, pickleball and volleyball court, numerous recreational activities, wellness initiatives, on-site cafe, barbeques, regular food trucks, iShuttle service to Metrolink and John Wayne Airport, exterior event spaces, bike lockers, K-9-friendly campus with dedicated dog parks, entertainment opportunities and other regularly scheduled community events all speak to the coming evolution of office.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this project?

McEvoy: The Von Karman Creative Campus is here and available for lease now. It has broken ground and will be the first of its kind to market in the Irvine Airport Area, slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2018. While most projects are geared toward large tenants, VKCC is different. It offers tenants of all sizes the opportunity to improve their workplace culture. The majority of our spaces are less than 8,000 square feet and spread across the 24-acre campus, which is almost a full city block. Finally, it is worth noting that VKCC is one of only a few properties in all of Orange County to have received the “WiredScore” certification due to its quality Internet infrastructure, network reliability and service offerings. The plethora of features and amenities this site has to offer truly does make it one of a kind.

Instant Insights /

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