The new 525 Olive mixed use San Diego tower was inspired by the coastal experience and luxury travel. The 300,000 sf, 20-story structure is connected to St. Paul’s Cathedral, located on the edge of 1600 acres of parkland and the museums of Balboa Park. Residents occupy 204 rental units (186 market rate and 18 deed-restricted low-income units). The building also houses a corner street-level retail/restaurant space.
Amenities include a rooftop pool deck with sweeping 270 degree views of San Diego from Mission Bay to the north to Mexico to the south. Several 18-foot stone arches on the feature wall are a nod to the gothic architecture of St. Paul’s Cathedral’s cloister and are visible for miles approaching the building. The fifth floor accommodates a state-of-the-art fitness deck that overlooks the treetops of Balboa Park. Additional luxury amenities include organic courtyards with outdoor seating, a pet spa with grooming stations, and conference rooms.
The building features a striking marble entry, pulling elements from the interior design out into the public street. A custom-designed installation composed of hundreds of fluttering hand-cut metal mesh butterflies adorn a see-through wall in the main lobby. The butterfly display is a reference to the surrounding parklands and natural environs.
All units were designed with high-end finishes and a soft, modern gray palette. Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units feature wood emulating plank flooring with quartz countertops
throughout. Kitchens are equipped with high gloss cabinetry with a herringbone marble backsplash. Washer and dryers are available in each unit.
Penthouse units feature 270 degree views, soaring 14-foot ceilings, engineered wood
flooring, and quartz countertops. All units have access to subterranean parking shared with St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The project preserves the historic architecture of the Cathedral, adding modernized and expanded spaces and upgrades to its public courtyard. Despite being in the midst of a bustling, walkable neighborhood, the location and the properties outdoor spaces afford residents an unexpected level of serenity and quiet.
On the Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: Greystar Real Estate and Development, Joint Venture with St. Paul’s Cathedral
Design architect: Jules Wilson Design Studio and Joseph Wong Design Associates
Architect of record: Joseph Wong Design Associates
Interior design: Jules Wilson Design Studio
MEP engineer: McParlane & Associates
Structural engineer: KorStructural (Formerly known as BMZ)
General contractor/construction manager: Greystar Real Estate and Development
Related Stories
| Sep 23, 2022
High projected demand for new housing prompts debate on best climate-friendly materials
The number of people living in cities could increase to 80% of the total population by 2100. That could require more new construction between now and 2050 than all the construction done since the start of the industrial revolution.
| Sep 23, 2022
Central offices making a comeback after pandemic
In the early stages of the Covid pandemic, commercial real estate industry experts predicted that businesses would increasingly move toward a hub-and-spoke office model.
| Sep 22, 2022
Gainesville, Fla., ordinance requires Home Energy Score during rental inspections
The city of Gainesville, Florida was recently recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Energy for an adopted ordinance that requires rental housing to receive a Home Energy Score during rental inspections.
| Sep 20, 2022
NIBS develops implementation plan for digital transformation of built environment
The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) says it has developed an implementation and launch plan for a sweeping digital transformation of the built environment.
University Buildings | Aug 25, 2022
Higher education, striving for ‘normal’ again, puts student needs at the center of project planning
Sustainability and design flexibility are what higher education clients are seeking consistently, according to the dozen AEC Giants contacted for this article. “University campuses across North America are commissioning new construction projects designed to make existing buildings and energy systems more sustainable, and are building new flexible learning space that bridge the gap between remote and in-person learning,” say Patrick McCafferty, Arup’s Education Business Leader–Americas East region, and Matt Humphries, Education Business Leader in Canada region.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 90 University Contractors and Construction Management Firms for 2022
Turner Construction, Whiting-Turner Contracting, PCL Construction Enterprises, and DPR Construction lead the ranking of the nation's largest university sector contractors and construction management (CM) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 90 Construction Management Firms for 2022
CBRE, Alfa Tech, Jacobs, and Hill International head the rankings of the nation's largest construction management (as agent) and program/project management firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 45 Engineering Architecture Firms for 2022
Jacobs, AECOM, WSP, and Burns & McDonnell top the rankings of the nation's largest engineering architecture (EA) firms for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 19, 2022
2022 Giants 400 Report: Tracking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
Now 46 years running, Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report rankings the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. This year a record 519 AEC firms participated in BD+C's Giants 400 report. The final report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2022
California strip mall goes multifamily residential
Tiny Tim Plaza started out as a gas station and a dozen or so stores. Now it’s a thriving mixed-use community, minus the gas station.
