Project Architect: MVE & Associates

High-Density Luxury Living

La Jolla Palms is the premier luxury rental community in the La Jolla submarket of San Diego. Prominently located at the gateway of University Town Center just east of Interstate 5, the property's success is derived from significant drive by exposure and excellent curb appeal. La Jolla Palms is adjacent to The Aventine, a large-scale mixed-use project that includes a 400-room Hyatt, a 20-story office tower, several restaurants, and a health club. The property also overlooks the University of California, San Diego campus which offers numerous amenities and cultural facilities. The 232-unit La Jolla Palms community features a mix of larger floor plans with 65% two-bedroom units, many with dens. Residents enjoy a broad array of community features including secured access, elaborate clubhouse with conference and workout areas, and a resort-like pool and spa, which is the focal point of the site plan. Although this in-fill property is relatively high-density (55 dwelling units per acre), virtually all plans offer appealing views and most front entries face well-landscaped courtyards. Less than 5 percent of the residences are accessed from double-loaded corridors. All apartments have upgraded finishes throughout, including hardwood flooring in the kitchens and foyers, ceramic countertops, and fullsize washers and dryers.

Landscape Architect: The Guzzardo Partnership

The La Jolla Palms development resulted from the ability of the principals of Thompson|Dorfman to quickly respond to the opportunity to acquire the site and redesign the project in order to reduce financial carry costs. The La Jolla Palms site was originally controlled by a local development partnership that processed entitlements for the 232-unit project. Due to a division in this partnership, there was a 30-day window to analyze, negotiate, and conclude a sale. The principals of Thompson|Dorfman, believing that this opportunity was far superior to any others that existed in the San Diego marketplace, acted quickly to purchase this property. A sale was concluded within three weeks of executing a purchase contract. A total redesign was directed to advance a project that responded to the desires of the high end target market and conformed to the existing entitlements. A team of consultants was retained to develop new plans for the site based on a design concept that had previously been built on the Irvine Ranch at a much lower density (38 units per acre). While retaining the physical openness and organization of the prototype, the design team retooled the original scheme and submitted plans for City review within three months of site acquisition. The new design was embraced and promptly approved by the City, which led to a building permit and construction start five months after site purchase.