ADAPTIVE REUSE EXPERIENCE
WE BELIEVE EVERY GREAT PROJECT STARTS WITH A GREAT STORY.
ABOUT AC MARTIN
Founded in 1906, AC Martin is one of the oldest firms in California. With a continuous design legacy that spans more than three generations, the firm is still recognized today as a thought and practice leader in the industry. OVERVIEW
OFFICE LOCATIONS + PROFESSIONALS
AC Martin’s priority is to be at the forefront of design innovation and technical execution, continually adopting newest and best practice approaches and tool sets, including technological advances, sustainability and informed research. The work we do is based on the fundamental principles that our design must respond to the needs of various users, contribute positively to the built environment, and perform strongly in the market. With these in mind, our team is able to achieve collective project success.
We maintain three office locations – Los Angeles, the San Francsico Bay Area, and Sacramento metro – and consist of a team of 170 professionals across California.
STUDIOS AC Martin has eight in-house studios: Civic/Institutional, Higher Education, K-14, Aviation, Hospitality, Industrial, Multi-Family, Planning and Research, and a Special Services Group. These studios handle a diverse range of projects throughout the Western United States, including higher education academic and student life, research facilities, high-rise and low-rise, multi-family residential, hotels, schools, master planning of communities and campuses, courthouses, mixed-use retail and entertainment, parking structures, as well as city, county, and state office buildings.
The quality of our work is determined by the depth of our team. As we continue to build upon our individual strengths through constant personal and professional growth, we continue to strengthen our efforts as a collective. Our hands-on leadership team is deeply engaged in their projects, ensuring an exchange of ideas at all staff levels creating a potential for limitless innovation. Our group of architects, planners, interior designers, and specialty experts all have strong educational and professional backgrounds, experience designing a wide range of projects in multiple market sectors, and most importantly, works towards a common goal: dedicating our skills to create impactful design.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
RENOVATION & ADAPTIVE REUSE EXPERIENCE AC Martin is a dynamic firm with a storied history and legacy in the built environment. The firm’s practice is quite eclectic in that we’ve been engaged in many unique project types with interesting scope approaches that include renovations and adaptive re-uses within the city of Los Angeles and Southern California. Aside from the firm’s core practice areas, such as mixed-use, we have specialty design studios that focus on various types of projects, including the recently completed Secret Life of Pets theme park ride/attraction at Universal Studio Theme Park in Hollywood, as well as a large-scale sound stage studio campus in Santa Clarita that includes 15 sound stages, production office, mill space and parking structures. Our specialty design studios allow us to excel at executing projects such as large-scale renovations, adaptive re-use, commercial tenant improvements, and other renovation upgrades.
The Mint
Hall of Justice
Hall of Justice
Hall of Justice
AVEN PCBC Golden Nugget Los Angeles City Hall- Grand Award Best Mixed-Use Project - High Rise
Los Angeles City Hall - Base Isolators
Metro Subway Terminal Building CLIENT: County of Los Angeles PROJECT SIZE: 482,450 SF STATUS: Completed
Los Angeles, California
AC Martin provided architectural and engineering services for the rehabilitation of Los Angeles’ historic Subway Terminal Building as live/work loft housing. The project served as a case study model for the City’s Adaptive Reuse Ordinance. AC Martin provided public space historic renovations, new parking structure, and complete seismic and structural work. Built in 1925 by the Pacific Electric Railroad, the 482,450 SF Historic Subway Terminal Building was originally an office building that housed the Red Car Subway Station until 1956 when the system was permanently retired. The building design features four north-south wings, joined by an east-west corridor. Floors three and above (totaling 294,300 SF) were reconfigured and fully outfitted by Thomas P. Cox Architects. Thirty-one unit types range from 384 SF studios to a 2,200 SF -three-level penthouse. The roof areas between the apartment wings was given a hardscape design by Mia Lehrer Associates, who also created a roof garden on the top of one of the towers. AC Martin’s design of the five-level parking structure mirrors the mass and strength of the historic building, and adds contemporary features such as a “green wall” of plantings.
The Mint
Los Angeles, California
CLIENT: County of Los Angeles PROJECT SIZE: 482,450 SF STATUS: Completed
The Mint is an eight-story, former medical office building in the heart of City West, just across the 110 Freeway from Downtown Los Angeles’ Financial District. The $200 million residential development has 42-unit lofts on the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Lucas Avenue, completed in 2017. The development offers amenities including a common parlor room, courtyard and rooftop area with grills and space for dining. The building itself was built in the 1920s and belonged to the Good Samaritan Hospital across the street.
Hazard Center
San Diego, California
CLIENT: Partners / Principal Insurance PROJECT SIZE: 350,000 SF STATUS: In Design
The Hazard Center Redevelopment, an ambitious urban revitalization project, seeks to transform a shopping center from the 1980s, located in Mission Valley, into a bustling residential and commercial hub. The revamped Hazard Center will feature two seven-story buildings, each containing 192 units that overlook the San Diego River and the busy Friars Road. The first two phases will be located on Hazard Center Drive across from the Hazard Center Trolley Station. Additionally, there will be five-story buildings along Hazard Center Drive, housing the remaining 73 residential units as part of the phase 3 construction. Notably, 10 percent of these units will be allocated for affordable housing, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity in the new development. The Hazard Center Redevelopment represents the changing face of urban planning, where the integration of residential, commercial, and retail spaces within transitoriented developments is seen as a key strategy for building sustainable, vibrant communities. The project also benefits from the recent extension of Hazard Center Drive, improving traffic circulation by connecting with Fashion Valley Mall.
The “K” Residence Hall CLIENT: Chapman University PROJECT SIZE: 123,500 SF STATUS: Completed 2020
Orange, California
The “K” Residence Hall provides Chapman University with on-campus housing for 400+ students. The new student housing is a key component to an integrated master plan which includes an adaptive reuse of the Villa Park Orchards Packing House built in 1918. The historic Packing House contains an exciting array of student services, academic uses and a museum. A subterranean open central courtyard acts as a circulation hub between the renovated packing house and The K while providing a dynamic outdoor space for students to relax, study and socialize. It is differentiated from existing structures on site by its contemporary design and use of exterior brick veneer accents, visually aligning it with other buildings on the Chapman campus. The building features a combination of metal sawtooth and flat roofs, recalling the roof forms of the Packing House. To complement the surrounding neighborhood’s agri-industrial context, the exterior walls are clad in metal siding at the upper levels and smooth troweled cement plaster at the lower levels.
USC URBNMRKT CLIENT: University of Southern California PROJECT SIZE: 7,000 SF STATUS: Completed 2009
Los Angeles, California
URBNMRKT, a grab ‘n’ go deli and future bar, occupies the former loading dock of a four-story building that now houses the University of Southern California’s (USC) administrative offices. Fronting Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles and occupying three truck bays and 7,000 SF, this new urban-chic hangout has its roots deeply grounded in its industrial/operational history while its furnishings and interior design maintain a home-grown, modern vibe. Exposed stainless steel clad walls and fixtures, doors and the bar are juxtaposed by warm bamboo strand board wall panels. Custom-designed leather lounge chairs and ottomans are paired with off-the-shelf tables and bar stools with hand-painted legs. Simple glowing bulbs in custom steel armatures hang from the 18-foot ceiling, which was painted white to mask the old ducts, conduit and pipes. This establishment not only continues USC’s drive to provide excellent amenities and first-rate dining options for its student and faculty but showcases the possibility of bringing in patrons from surrounding neighborhoods. This new model of authentic, non-corporate, home-grown design along with first-rate food and beverage offerings is a success for the students, university and local community alike.
Los Angeles City Hall Seismic Rehabilitation and Renovation CLIENT: City of Los Angeles PROJECT SIZE: 300,000 SF STATUS: Completed
Los Angeles, California
Completed in 1928, Los Angeles City Hall, a joint venture of Albert C. Martin, John Parkinson, and John Austin, was the city’s tallest building for more than 30 years. The iconic building features a 452’ high central tower rising from a two-story base, flanked by wings to the north and south. By the 21st century, hundreds of earthquakes had shaken the building. While the building’s foundation, footings, granite base, and structural steel remained strong and intact, the unreinforced masonry walls had suffered over time, necessitating a seismic retrofit. The renovation included seismic strengthening, life safety and accessibility code upgrades, and preservation of historically significant building elements. The plan also included base isolation of the structure. Approximately 414 base isolators were inserted into columns and under walls of the building just below the existing basement level and just above the existing foundation system. Installation of the isolators required the construction of a new basement-level structural slab. Additionally, reinforced concrete shear walls were added to strengthen existing masonry walls. A four-foot-wide underground moat, hidden from view, surrounds the perimeter of the building to allow for movement during seismic events. Once completed, the renovation was nearly invisible, allowing the historic building to retain its identity and splendor.
Los Angeles County Hall of Justice Repair & Reuse Project CLIENT: County of Los Angeles PROJECT SIZE: 308,000 SF STATUS: Completed
Los Angeles, California
The Hall of Justice Repair and Reuse Project is a renovation and upgrade of an existing County of Los Angeles building located in downtown Los Angeles. The 335,000 SF project features 308,000 SF of office space equipped with entirely new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that tie back into the existing central plant. The Hall of Justice was originally built in 1925, and closed because of seismic damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Historical renovations include extensive cleaning of the exterior granite and restoration of the marble-clad grand lobby and loggia. The original elevator cabs were refurbished and installed into the new elevators. In addition, the historic staircases along with one of the courtrooms and law libraries were preserved and restored to their former condition. The jail cells, which used to reside on the upper floors, were removed in order to accommodate functioning office space. The project goal was to restore the Hall of Justice as a landmark for the downtown Los Angeles Civic Center.
LOS ANGELES 444 South Flower Street, Suite 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90071 213.683.1900 SACRAMENTO 3009 Douglas Boulevard, Suite 290 Roseville, CA 95661 916.772.1800 SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 4305 Hacienda Dr, Suite 500 Pleasanton, CA 94588 925.648.8800 SAN DIEGO 401 West A Street, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92101 619.500.7899 www.acmartin.com