Located near the heart of North Hollywood, Alexan NoHo West is a mixed-use development that blends residential, commercial, and recreational space over 25 acres. Built on the site of a former shopping center once anchored by a Macy’s, the project features two residential buildings and a two-story exterior mall that redefines modern urban living.
“It was a repositioning project. We were tasked to create, in addition to what was there before,” says Ed Cadavona, managing partner at AO, the architect for the project. “We wanted to reposition the mall with residential product. [The project involved] creating and reimagining what could happen if we infused residential to the dying mall to create interconnected walking areas. You could live, work, and play here.”
Cadavona says the importance of walkability—which became the cohesive theme of the completed mixed-use development—became apparent early in the project.
“[As we reimagined the big-box retail spaces], it became apparent that [the first floor] had to be walkable. Materials and textures along with the ground plane make you feel comfortable in the walking environment,” he notes. “Along with material changes on the façades, we played up the art theme [because of the NoHo Arts District]. Art [was] really distributed along the walkable areas.”
To highlight the art theme, building elevations are adorned with bold and colorful murals, a mosaic of dynamic tile patterns, wood accent materials, glass storefronts, and metal fenestration along the balconies.
A central main street in Alexan NoHo West connects users throughout the site, offering an array of amenities including a movie theater, a retail plaza, and a fitness center. The interconnectedness of the residential, commercial, and recreational spaces deemphasizes the need for cars and enhances the pedestrian focus of the community, according to Cadavona. The inclusion of courtyards in the project breaks up the buildings’ elevations and infuses a sense of tranquility into the urban landscape.
The multifamily community features units curated with modern design elements, including stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring, electronic-entry door locks, and Nest thermostats. The bright interiors, high ceilings, and open layouts of the units create a sense of spaciousness. A rooftop deck provides panoramic views of the cityscape and promotes a sense of gathering and community.
“[We wanted] to give something back architecturally, but also from an urban design perspective be creative and sensitive,” Cadavona says. “That was the goal we had for this project because it’s higher density, so [we needed to] be respectful and create environments with a thoughtful making of the space.”
