.

Project Location:  4500 Via Marina, Marina del Rey, CA

Project Size:  900 Units

Date completed:  Expected Completion Summer 2008

Client:  E & S. Ring Management Corporation

Contact:  John Pringle - President [johnp@esring.com]

Additional Information:

Located in Marina del Rey, CA, the Marina Harbor Apartments complex consists of nearly 900 units on a 48 acre site, surrounded the upscale Marina del Rey Harbor with spectacular views of the marina, and includes amenities such as a fitness studio, tennis courts, four resort-style pools with sundecks, and jogging paths along the water.
 
Although the project was considered state-of-the-art at the time of construction with its International Style architecture, it had been recently overshadowed by newer, more modern competing properties. Originally built in mid-sixties the project suffered from little attention other than routine maintenance over the years.

To bring the project back to its former market position, the Owner engaged F+M Architects to design a completely new facility while retaining the "bones" of the original buildings and site. To this end new facades, decks, and site features were developed to maximize views, light and colors to provide an attractive facility and striking backdrop for the harbor.

The design focuses on enriching and embellishing the exterior facades by adding bold new shapes and geometries. A new unique and fresh palette of materials and colors create a more focused and site specific marina design solution. In the facades the designers introduced new full height insulated windows and sliding doors to allow more daylight and better views of the “Living Marina”. In addition new three-story high facade extrusions in varying colors were added to create rhythm and scale, and new nautical inspired horizontal stainless steel cable railings complete the theme.

The exterior spaces incorporate 275 new trees, new native California, along with a variety of building elements of metal arches, cable railings, ironwood accents are incorporated into the landscape to complete the renovation..