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The 132,000-square-foot retail space utilizes streetscapes to encourage outdoor community activities
LAGUNA HILLS/COSTA MESA, Calif. – The entitlement package for Nadel Architects to redesign six buildings for Oakbrook Village, a 1980s-built shopping center owned by Fritz Duda Company, was approved by the city of Laguna Hills. The shopping center is located at 24391 Avenida De La Carlota in Laguna Hills, Calif. Retail renovation and expansion designs by Nadel Architects will transform the center into a high-end, mixed-use leisure destination for local shoppers. The $80-90 million project is an integral part of the City of Laguna Hills Urban Village Specific Plan.
Tentatively set for completion in 2016, Oakbrook Village is located on a 20-acre site near the 405 Freeway and the Laguna Hills Mall and consists of 132,200 square feet of retail space and a 483,837-square-foot multifamily residential building. As the architect for the retail portion, Nadel’s role in the major renovation project includes demolishing current retail space that will be replaced by a mixed-use apartment building, relocating all current tenants, renovating the exterior of the remaining existing retail portion and allocating space for additional restaurant and retail pads.
“In addition to meeting the city’s Urban Village Specific Plan requirements, our goal was to increase the density and consumer activity on the site,” said Greg James, Nadel’s project director. “Our design incorporates a lot of public space and encourages more streetscape activities with areas for concerts and a paseo running throughout. The main street-feel and pedestrian-oriented layout will create an experience that the community will really enjoy.”
Design changes include a new entry tower for a Trader Joes as well as upgrades to the exterior finishes and site lighting of the existing buildings. Nadel is also redesigning the monument and pylon signs on the site. The redesign will also incorporate many customer-designed features, including plazas, fountains and community gathering places.
In addition to boasting such national retailers as Marshalls and Trader Joes, Oakbrook Village is also accented by specialty stores Calico Home and Roadrunner Sports as well as excellent dining, with national restaurants, such as El Torito Grill and Lone Star Steak House, and local favorites, such as Woody’s Diner, Mandarin Terrace, Kotobuki Sushi and Break of Dawn.
The multifamily portion will consist of 289 units and will provide top-of-the-line amenities such as a fitness center, a clubhouse, a pool and several courtyards and plazas.
“This new village will not only be a great amenity to the community of Laguna Hills, but it also fills a residential void,” said Ryan Jones, Southwest Region - Vice President of Real Estate, of Fritz Duda Company. “We really wanted to make a space for individuals who value urban living and want all their entertainment, eatery and errand needs to be within walking distance from their residence.”
In addition to James, the Nadel Architects team includes Dawn Dimond, senior designer; and Olga Ruiz, project manager.
