Architectural Dimensions was recently featured in the Los Angeles Daily Times for its involvement in an 8-story Ventura hotel proposed to replace a now vacant restaurant, a building that has been the demise of many businesses. The site is unique in the fact that it sits on top of a centrally located hill, an area where urban and residential sprawl come together. Current zoning specifications and ordinances do not typically allow for buildings of this type, but there is gaining community support for the project. As it sits today the site is an eyesore wrapped in graffiti and chain link, an image the community desperately wants to change. In designing the spaces for this project, putting the community first was of utmost importance. We wanted to create spaces that could be at the center of celebration and gathering. The building's shape allowed for many unique and intimate spaces including; A large banquet and meeting area, a local restaurant, 2 rooftop bars both with stunning views, secluded pool deck and underground parking all utilize the site to its entirety. Visually the design is a contemporary addition to Ventura Boulevard and the Woodland Hills Area. If you would like to read more about [...]

Getting into San Francisco’s Hotel Market is Tough, But Well Worth it Written By: Julie Littman Originally Seen on BisNow.com San Francisco is a difficult hospitality market, but very few hoteliers regret getting into it. Hoteliers, investors, designers and developers gathered in San Francisco during a Bisnow event to discuss how hotels get developed in the city and where they expect opportunities in the years ahead. Turner & Townsend Trestle associate director Edd Burton, Architectural Dimensions president Jim Heilbronner, Marriott VP lodging development Robert Sanger and Hyatt Hotel VP of real estate and development Chris Dobbins discussed what makes San Francisco a difficult hospitality market and how they work around many of the regulatory, construction and cost issues they face. Architectural Dimensions president Jim Heilbronner said the biggest challenges to getting a hotel off the ground come from the entitlement and permit processes and the restrictions developers face. All of the fees add up, too. Jim said hoteliers can expect to pay about $20k/key in fees costing upwards of $2M for a 100-room hotel. He said developers should project about 15% to 18% of their budgets to go toward getting their projects through approvals. Adding on about 50% of their budget [...]

How Community Advocacy is Impacting Oakland Developments Written By: Julie Littman Originally Seen on BisNow.com Office and multifamily developments are cropping up around Oakland, slowly but surely chipping away at demand for housing and office space. Developers, contractors, architects and city officials came together in Oakland last week during a Bisnow event to discuss the latest construction and development trends and how best to work with the city and community to move projects forward. Wendel Rosen partner Todd Williams moderated a panel with SUDA CEO Alan Dones, SRM Development principal real estate Ryan Leong, Bellwether Enterprise SVP John Ghio, Signature Development Group VP Eric Harrison, UrbanCore Development CEO Michael Johnson and Orton Development principal Nick Orton. Panelists told a 200-person crowd about their current projects in Oakland and how their projects evolved during the planning stages. UrbanCore Development CEO Michael Johnson, said the Lakehouse Commons project by Lake Merritt originally started out as a market-rate housing project, but turned into a mixed-income project after receiving input from the community. The project also used cap-and-trade funds from the state to support the build-out of 30% affordable housing within the project. “It’s clear that all of us are going to be faced with [...]

Hear from the major players in the Hospitality Industry about the state of hotel development and where the experts see it going in the future. Jim Heilbronner will be a panelist, joined by other industry experts to share their perspective and knowledge on trends and topics. Hosted by Bisnow in Los Angeles, California. AD’s Principal Jim Heilbronner will be a panelist for Bisnow’s event focusing on Los Angeles’ booming hospitality market. Downtown LA is in the middle of a renaissance, making it a magnet for both national and international visitors. DTLA offers plenty of red-carpet events, conferences, incredible restaurants, hip amenities and world class attractions. Urbanization and favorable government regulations are promoting new lodging developments in submarket areas, such as the Fashion District, Art District and Chinatown. Come join key players examining the current state of LA’s hospitality market and discussing economic key drivers and hotel trends that impact tourism and hospitality investments. We will also assess future trends of LA's lodging market. And of course, there will be plenty of schmooze & networking time! Read More Goto Bisnow

We will be attending the Mega Projects of the East Bay event here in Oakland. The East Bay has a unique opportunity to create some of the most vibrant submarkets in the Bay Area. From housing, commercial, and retail to industrial sectors, the East Bay can offer opportunities for developers. This event includes a panel discussion exploring the impacts of the six largest and very important projects being developed in this region, including: Alameda Point, Bishop Ranch, Brooklyn Basin, Coliseum City, Concord Army Base Redevelopment Project, and the Oakland Army Base Redevelopment Project.