When the Los Angeles developer Bryn Stroyke of Stroyke Properties acquired a prime corner location in downtown Manhattan Beach, he planned to replace the site's existing restaurant with a mixed-use office building'but not a standard box with street-level retail. Instead, he and his investors wanted to build a boutique office complex to attract individual proprietors whose small size excluded them from the community's competitive market. The opportunity for an interior designer or a solo real estate broker, for instance, to acquire centrally located office space was unprecedented, says Grant Kirkpatrick of KAA Design, 'especially in Manhattan Beach, where downtown development is extremely limited and property rarely changes hands.' Stroyke saw a chance to serve a small market willing to pay for ocean views, understated loftlike spaces, and the work-play lifestyle the location affords. And because prices per square foot increase as the space an occupant buys or leases shrinks, Stroyke's concept allowed his company to maximize the property's earning potential.
Imagining 1300 Highland as an urban village, the architects distributed its 34 units among five small buildings linked by outdoor circulation. An exposed steel structure, bleached cedar cladding, and a glazed ground level suggest a series of modern beach houses. A 10,000-square-foot basement with a spa, locker rooms, and surfboard and bike storage allows owners and tenants to include trips to the beach into their routine. 'It's a much different setup than you'd traditionally find,' says Stroyke. 'You have a freedom you don't have in a more traditional office building.'
You have 0 complimentary articles remaining.
Unlimited access + premium benefits for as low as $1.99/month.