West Edge, a mixed-use development in West Los Angeles on the site of a former Cadillac dealership, features 600 apartments, 217,000 square feet of office, and 80,000 square feet of retail. The project, with a half-acre open-air plaza, paid homage to the dealership with a car theme throughout.
“[The Martin family Cadillac dealership] was a landmark, so we drew on that; because the Martin family was our partner, we wanted them and their family history to have a mark on the project,” West Edge project manager Matthew Hines of developer Hines says. “Some of the seating elements that we have in the plaza have a glossy paint finish and use the same colors from classic Cadillacs. We have pictures throughout [the interior] and in the elevators. It pays homage to that history while representing the Westside of LA and the Westside culture.”
The project features two distinct building masses: an L-shaped, seven-story apartment building and an eight-story office tower with private landscaped terraces over five floors. The public plaza integrates with both the office and retail spaces, emphasizing connectivity of the development while respecting the privacy of residents.
“The plaza is one of my favorite parts of the project. It is more internal facing than external facing, [and] it brings the project down to the pedestrian, human scale. We put all of our parking underground so we could maximize the space for pedestrians,” Hines says. “We have a unique design for the office building, with a serrated edge of the window line that alternates each floor. It was reflected on the apartment building so you can see the carryover of the design, but they don’t look exactly the same.”
The social amenities in the apartment complex provide residents with a retreat-like atmosphere with a “California vibe,” including a pool lounge, a private dining terrace, and co-working space. The apartments, which include 120 income-restricted units, prioritize light and panoramic views with floor-to-ceiling glass; 30% of the units feature balconies.
