Phase 1 of The Press, an adaptive reuse project that is converting an old Los Angeles Times facility into a modern office campus, was recently completed in Costa Mesa, Calif. The project is retaining most of the existing, 450,000 sf structure, and converting it into an expansive creative campus with contemporary office space.
A strategy of “selective subtraction” was utilized throughout the project to introduce daylight, fresh air, and views, according to a news release from Del Amo Construction, the project’s general contractor. This strategy included removal of roof panels and covering walls to expose the underlying skeletal structure. Elements such as canopies and monolithic concrete walls are a nod to the former production space—an active newsroom and printing plant that operated from 1968 to 2010 and was decommissioned in 2014.
The design by Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects (EYRC) aims to preserve the integrity of the original site while bringing it up to today’s health, safety and building code standards. Challenges included significant remediation from ink and fuel tanks found on site, as well as ensuring the property was compliant with current ADA requirements.
“The Press is a human-scaled, creative campus with a rich history, positioned at the heart of Orange County’s newly energized business corridor,” said EYRC Partner Patricia Rhee, FAIA. “It’s so exciting to see the transformation of The Press and how it’s signaling a new life for this massive industrial complex—its emergence from years of disrepair.”
All aspects of the core and shell revitalization are now completed. Ongoing work will add new structures including a parking garage and R&D building. The remaining structures of the multi-phased project are scheduled to be completed in early 2023.
The Press was recently leased by Anduril Industries, constituting the largest office lease in the last 15 years in Orange County.
Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: SteelWave and 5 Ronin
Design architect: Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney (EYRC)
Architect of record: Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney (EYRC)
MEP engineer: Alvine Engineering
Structural engineer: Saiful Bouquet
General contractor/construction manager: Del Amo Construction
Related Stories
Contractors | Feb 6, 2015
Census Bureau: Capital spending by U.S. businesses increased 4.5%
Of the 19 industry sectors covered in the report, only one had a statistically significant year-to-year decrease in capital spending: the utilities sector.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
5 trends transforming workplace design
RTKL's workplace design expert Jodi Williams foresees healthier and more technologically enabled offices that allow productive worker interaction, wherever they happen to be.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2015
Bjarke Ingels' BIG proposes canopied, vertical village for Middle East media company
The tensile canopy shades a relaxation plaza from the desert sun.
Office Buildings | Feb 2, 2015
Study shows modern workers struggle to leave work at the office
Study findings indicate that more than half the respondents holds tight to their smartphones, checking and responding to email and taking phone calls, all or most of the time.
Office Buildings | Jan 28, 2015
Sustainability’s missed opportunity: small commercial buildings
The real opportunity for shrinking the nation’s energy footprint lies in the mundane world of small commercial buildings, writes BD+C's David Barista.
Office Buildings | Jan 27, 2015
London plans to build Foggo Associates' 'can of ham' building
The much delayed high-rise development at London’s 60-70 St. Mary Axe resembles a can of ham, and the project's architects are embracing the playful sobriquet.
Office Buildings | Jan 26, 2015
Seattle gets a peek at Amazon’s latest plans for its downtown complex
The online retailer is seeking permits to build on a fourth city block that would include 835,200 sf of office space.
| Jan 14, 2015
10 change management practices that can ease workplace moves
No matter the level of complexity, workplace change can be a challenge for your client's employees. VOA's Angie Lee breaks down the process of moving offices as efficiently as possible, from creating a "change team" to hosting hard-hat tours.
| Jan 13, 2015
SOM-designed Broadgate Exchange House wins Twenty-five Year Award
Exchange House, an elegant 10-story office building that spans over the merging tracks of London’s Liverpool Street Station, is located in London’s Broadgate Development.
| Jan 9, 2015
10 surprising lessons Perkins+Will has learned about workplace projects
P+W's Janice Barnes shares some of most unexpected lessons from her firm's work on office design projects, including the importance of post-occupancy evaluations and having a cohesive transition strategy for workers.