Compiled by Andrea Rangno and Johanne Chou
FULLERTON
Demolition is done to make way for a $140 million housing and commercial development aimed at college students. Dallas-based Inland American Com-
munities Group Inc. is redeveloping 6.8 acres with student housing and shops at the corner of Chapman and Commonwealth avenues near the Orange (57) Freeway. A student housing building is set to include 351 furnished apartments for up to 1,200 residents. The 27,255 square feet of retail space is set to focus on neighborhood stores. Parking for stores and an interior parking structure for residents are part of the project. Also planned are a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, computer center, game room and study center. The developer is targeting students at nearby schools, including California State University, Fullerton, and neighboring Hope International University, a private Christian school. Architects Orange designed for the project. Osprey Construction Inc. is the general contractor. The project is expected to be 388,523 square feet. It is set to be done in summer 2011.
IRVINE
An architecture studio is near completion on Harbor Boulevard north of Chapman Avenue. The two-building project is 2,580 square feet and costs $100,000. Frank R. Webb Architects Inc. is developing the project and plans to occupy the space. Placentia-based Cannon Building Services is putting up the buildings. The project features open spaces with natural light and is expected to receive a bronze certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system for environmentally friendly buildings. The studio will be named Studio 1016 and is expected to be done this week.
Hicks Canyon Elementary School is building a classroom and a separate multipurpose room at its campus near Culver Drive and Irvine Boulevard. Last year Hicks Canyon grew more than any other school in the Tustin Unified School District, which includes schools in neighboring Irvine. The 12-room classroom building is set to be equipped with computerized writing boards and projection equipment. The multipurpose room will allow for 300 children to gather for assemblies. More than 60 parking spaces should allow easier access for teachers and parents. Construction is on schedule to be finished before students begin school in September. Funding for the $8 million project comes from state and local bonds. The school district has several other projects planned for the future and some now are under construction, including Orchard Hills, which is set to open later this year.
Construction has resumed on a new media arts building and gallery at
the University of California, Irvine. Construction was halted in January amid the state budget crisis. The 59,000-square-foot building will be used by the Claire Trevor School of the Arts and will include an exhibition gallery, a multimedia performance space, a motion capture studio, a sound design lab, production facilities and offices. The architect is Culver City-based Ehrlich Associates, which is aiming for a silver certification under the LEED rating system. The completion date, originally scheduled for 2010, is being re-evaluated.
ORANGE
St. Verena Coptic Orthodox Church on North Hewes Street near Chapman Avenue plans to add 5,989 square feet of space to its existing church. About 4,000 square feet will be added onto the second floor of the church to provide office and classroom space. About 2,000 square feet will be added to the west side of the church to relocate the altar to face east. Eastern Orthodox Churches are built with the altar facing east because of biblical references. The church also is adding 45 parking spots.
Costs for the renovation are estimated at $2.5 million to $3 million and will be raised through fundraisers and donations. The city has approved the project and construction should begin within a year and last for a year to a year and a half.
The church is growing and needs to increase its size to accommodate its parishioners. George Behnam of Placentia is the architect. A contractor hasn’t been selected yet.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
An Arco gas station on the corner of Brookhurst Street and Hamilton Avenue is adding a 2,400-square-foot convenience store and 960-square-foot automated car wash. An existing repair shop is being demolished to make way for the expansion. The project also includes removing underground storage tanks. Michael Adams & Associates is handling the project. Peter Hadad is the architect.
