TCA Architects

NewPark Place Master Plan

tcaeditor - Jun 11, 2024

In 2018, the NewPark Place Specific Plan was green lit with the ambitious goal of revitalizing the NewPark Mall. Brookfield stepped up to the challenge, acquiring the mall and enlisting TCA to spearhead the master planning process. Over several years of collaboration, TCA worked closely with Brookfield Residential and Retail to forge a new vision for the area. Out of the original 1,030,000 square feet of mall space, approximately 430,000 square feet are slated for demolition, including anchors like JC Penny, Burlington, Inline Shops, and Sears. In their footprint, a fresh 220,000 square feet will be dedicated to a new Costco and a Retail co-working center.

The southern parking lots of the mall will undergo a transformation, making way for five new residential developments – three wrap and two podium structures – delivering a total of 1,519 units and accommodating roughly 2,800 residents who will support both existing and revamped retail spaces. Careful attention has been paid to vehicular circulation and service access to both retail and residential parcels. A key element of the plan introduces an activated retail/residential street, fostering a walkable and interactive environment with parks, plazas, and commercial outlets.

To address the reduction in retail square footage, parking will be replenished through the construction of two proposed podium structures. Convincing the city of Newark about the merits of this concept was crucial, so Brookfield entrusted TCA to create an experiential video fly through showcasing the new vision, emphasizing connectivity, retail offerings, and the residential master plan. The master plan was met with enthusiastic approval, signaling the transformation of a struggling mall into a dynamic and thriving concept.

Currently, TCA is focused on designing the first phase of residential development, which will comprise of 319 units.

Click to watch the video fly through!

Brooklyn Basin Parcel H

tcaeditor - May 10, 2024

In a challenging market, TCA was asked to re-envision this approved development as two projects instead of one- a lower density Phase 1 of townhouses, and a higher density future Phase 2 that could be either a podium or tower, depending on market conditions. TCA’s novel solution for the first phase was “stacked towns”, which allowed the developer to bring to market a unique for-sale product at a higher density in Phase I. Phase 2 includes higher density podium or tower options. In a neighborhood of monotonous 8 story rental buildings, the design sought to exploit the differences with these prototypes. The 5 story- townhome project expresses the inherent verticality of the townhomes via a façade with deep incisions. The Phase 2 options anchor the prominent frontage on Clinton Basin with a singular large-scale façade expression for the podium, or a dramatic “blade of glass” that sits on an undulating base for the tower option.

CAMDEN GLENDALE

TCA Architect - Apr 01, 2024

Camden’s Glendale Triangle includes 287 units and 16,500 square feet of retail. The Type III building consists of five levels of wood over retail and mezzanine parking. The blade’s strong architecture statement denotes the entry to the City of Glendale. The triangular shape of the site and neighborhood context also influenced the design. Each facade was addressed by using different scales, massing, and setbacks as well incorporating balconies and live/work lofts where necessary. Similarly, three major surrounding streets respond to varying conditions and contextual opportunities to allow the infill project to expand the neighborhood experience. Camden Glendale achieved GreenPoint Rated Platinum certification.

Millennium Mission Valley

TCA Architect - Mar 25, 2024

Millennium Mission Valley is a mixed-use apartment project on a 5.37 Acre site in San Diego, providing 291 residential and 14 shopkeeper units. Fundamental to the design is the connection of pedestrian access to and from the site. The design team held the building edge 20 feet back from the curb and carved out a 4,000 square-foot space for a central public plaza to provide a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented atmosphere. They located the project’s “front door” adjacent to a large public plaza to allow for a sense of arrival shared pedestrian experience. Courtyards offer multiple social areas to allow for a visual interaction with the central retail plaza. The retail awnings and storefronts along the ground level help to reduce the scale of the building along pedestrian frontages while allowing for views into public areas of the building. Architectural elements anchor key corners while punched openings and cantilevered balconies provide relief and texture; working to further break down the scale of the massing.

ONYX

TCA Architect - Mar 20, 2024

Onyx blends traditional building façade design with contemporary colors, materials and an implied kinetic energy through playful fenestration patterns. Colorful glass guardrails reinforce this dynamism and are highlighted with architectural lighting. As an urban infill development, commercial spaces and residential entry lobbies connect the building to the public way, and employ large stone bases to help ground the building and reinforce these connections. A colorful, full-height-glazed building entry at the back of the entry court activates the formal entry, in addition to this South Park, Los Angeles street scene. Floor-to-ceiling storefront glazing at the top floor completes the top of the traditional building façade, and is articulated in contemporary mannerisms throughout.

Original design and entitlement by Kanner Architects, with Architect of Record services by TCA.

HANOVER GRAND

TCA Architect - Feb 20, 2024

In the city of Los Angeles, located at the gateway on Grand Avenue from the commercial Banking District into the predominantly residential South Park District, this city block serves as a transitional site to tie these two districts together. At the street level, the residential entry is defined by an atrium court that helps engage the street. The leasing office and residential amenities are all oriented to this court enhancing the pedestrian vitality. Continuing down the street, the colonnade defines the location of live/work units, providing a brief respite from, yet direct link to, the sidewalk. The colonnade then terminates at a gate leading to a final street level experience which is a linear court with residential units and a resident-only outdoor amenity space – back-dropped by a piece of the existing urban fabric. Additional amenities include a fitness facility, clubroom, business center and movie screening room as well as roof top Sun Deck, Wine & Dine Deck and corner Skyline Deck. Materials are used deliberately to reinforce the transitional nature of the site using polished stone (Banking District), wood accents (Residential District) and brick that was salved from the former building on site to respect the history and vitality of the neighborhood.

BOARDWALK

TCA Architect - Feb 20, 2024

The Boardwalk is a mixed-use community that fulfills the City of Huntington Beach’s goal to connect several disparate parts of the community surrounding its developing Town Center in a new walkable neighborhood. The 12-acre site replaces a defunct Levitz furniture warehouse and parking lot with 487 market rate and affordable apartments as well as 14,500 square feet of commercial space. TCA worked with Huntington Beach City staff and the newly adopted Beach Edinger Corridors Specific Plan to introduce pedestrian-oriented streets, a public park, and retail plazas to the infill site. The Boardwalk was TCA’s first High-DEF product designed to maximize efficiency, lower construction cost, and separate parking garages as well as courts from the pedestrian-oriented streets. The custom-designed all wood-framed mixed-use buildings supports the City’s regional mobility goals by placing unique urban living near existing office, retail, and public transportation. The Boardwalk is a LEED Silver-certified project.

HANOVER OLYMPIC

TCA Architect - Nov 25, 2023

Hanover Olympic is a 263 unit urban community located in the South Park district in downtown Los Angeles. The aesthetics are contemporary and upbeat with a staccato rhythm in deference to the great jazz history within the adjacent historic core. Two grand architectural gestures are designed into the facades, each composed of metal panels and glass, marking the key entries while also adding a dynamic element to help enliven and activate street life.

AVA LITTLE TOKYO

TCA Architect - Oct 15, 2023

AVA Little Tokyo includes two buildings that bring a total of 280 new luxury apartment units into the vibrant Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles. Located at Los Angeles and 2nd Street, this new six-story mixed-use project combines five levels type-3 construction over ground level and two-level subterranean garage. Designed in tandem, the AVA Little Tokyo buildings are to be perceived and operated as a single mixed-use community. Similar exterior façade materials provide a visual harmony, while Parcel A contains sufficient amenities to portray an individual identity; Parcel B contains the ground floor leasing and fitness spaces. Other amenities include two outdoor courtyards with a pool, spas, and lounge spaces. On the ground level, residents have access to storage, DIY rental spaces, and bike repair services. To activate the promenade, eight 2-story townhome apartments are located on the street facing the adjacent residences. Amenities featured in each building are driven by the best location within the project. The large corner public plaza with 13,500 square feet of retail and restaurant spaces activates the street and surrounding community. A 1,500 square foot rooftop deck combines seating, fireplaces, and a social bar with dramatic city skyline views. The project achieved LEED Gold certification.

SOUTH PARK BY WINDSOR

TCA Architect - Sep 25, 2023

The Hanover South Park Apartments (now South Park by Windsor) represent a brand new product type in the growing urban fabric of Los Angeles, and is a bellwether of the new urban architecture to come. Its proximity to public transportation (such as the Metro subway and the projected downtown streetcar as well as LA Live) attracts modern urban professionals looking to live, work and play in the emerging downtown Los Angeles South Park district. With a density of 189 DU/Acre, the project consists of five wood framed levels over two levels of concrete. Building amenities include a pool, BBQ areas, landscaped courtyards, community clubhouse, gym, theater rooms, and a business lounge. The open spaces include two roof decks overlooking the new urban cityscape of South Park Los Angeles- one of them a projecting sky deck, six stories above the corner plaza of Olympic & Hill. The first floor houses 16,000 square feet of retail spaces, including restaurants and several live/work units for professionals. Contemporary façade materials, such as glass guardrails, composite aluminum panels, anodized aluminum storefront and windows are underlining the vibrant language of the exterior.