LOS ANGELES—California developers are feeling pressure to stay ahead of the curve. At the recent Allen Matkins' View From the Top conference, developers, including Forest City Enterprises, Related Urban and LBA Realty, talked about their vision to create timeless and progressive buildings.
Alexa C. Arena, SVP of Forest City, said that the company is “staying on the frontier,” and that it is “thinking to the future to create lasting projects.” She focused on Forest City's San Francisco mixed-use projects, which combine innovative office design with retail and amenities. The company doesn't exclusively develop office properties. In the residential side, Arena says that the progressive residential development “breaks down formality” and is integral in creating neighborhood culture.
Words like “sustainability” and “collaboration” were tossed around between the presentations. To facilitate collaborative environments, these developers are including plenty of artful common areas, outdoor spaces and open workspaces. At One Culver, LBA Realty built 15 balconies, added 50,000 square feet to the property, including an atrium to the center of the building, and created ample parking with three spaces per 1000.
Related Urban had a similar angle on its Frank Gehery-designed mixed-use project in Downtown Los Angeles, Grand Avenue, which is across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Steve Eimer, the company's EVP, said the residential and hotel project would cost $1 billion and will include an Equinox Gym. Like the other developers, Related Urban is aiming to create an iconic project that connects to the culture of the neighborhood.
Kilroy Realty and Wilson Meany also presented at Allen Matkins' View from the Top, and gave updates on each of their projects, from Hollywood Park to the Columbia Square development in Hollywood.
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