SAN DIEGO-Los Angeles-based Lowe Enterprises has completed the $188.5-million first phase of the 900,000-square-foot County Operations Center and Annex redevelopment in Kearny Mesa ahead of schedule and under budget. The first phase consists of two, 150,000-square-foot, four-story, steel frame office buildings and a seven-level, 1,800-space parking structure.
As GlobeSt.com previously reported, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the first phase of development of the redevelopment back in April. Lowe last year topped out the first two 150,000-square-foot-office buildings.
The 38-acre County Operations Center, located on Overland Avenue, is being developed in three phases. In addition to the office buildings and parking structure, the first phase includes the central plant that provides the mechanical systems to run the entire campus, utility infrastructure and offsite improvements to mitigate traffic impacts. Lowe tells GlobeSt.com that the second phase is estimated $156 million and the total project is estimated to cost roughly $500 million.
“The buildings serve as the gateway to the new, more efficient campus and allow the County to begin its consolidation from outdated facilities,” says Mike McNerney, senior vice president of Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group. Approximately 1,100 employees from nine County departments, including General Services, Library, Aging & Independence Services, Sheriff, Purchasing & Contracting, Public Works, Auditor, Environmental Health and Parks & Recreation, have begun to relocate to the new buildings.
The office buildings feature sustainable design incorporating a variety of energy efficient, green building technologies. Abundant windows will allow for natural light, while energy efficient roofing and glazing systems will reduce heat gain. Landscaping features drought tolerant plants and an irrigation system designed to reduce water usage.
The next phase of the development includes two additional 150,000-square-foot office buildings and a 15,000-square-foot conference center and a cafeteria. Construction of the next phase is slated to begin in January 2011. When completed, the new campus is expected to include 900,000 square feet of modern, efficient office space, built to LEED Gold Certification standards, along with two multi-level parking structures.
The final phase of the development is planned to include two additional 150,000-square-foot, four-story, office buildings, identical to the buildings in the prior phases, and another parking structure. The project team also includes RJC Architects, Roel Construction, Howard Wright Construction and Arciero Brothers Construction with the County of San Diego Department of General Services overseeing the project on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors.
Lowe Enterprises has first-hand knowledge of the San Diego market, having acquired, operated and sold several industrial and office properties in the area. The company also completed the 75,000-square-foot Ocean Ridge, Class A office development in Carlsbad in 2006. Through affiliate, Lowe Hospitality Group, it developed and operates the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa and recently completed a $24 million renovation of the L’Auberge Del Mar which the firm also operates.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
