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
Building Owners | May 6, 2015
Hackathons and RFCs: Why one developer killed the RFP
In lieu of an RFP process, Skanska Commercial Development hosted a three-week "hackathon" to find an architect for its 2&U tower in Seattle.
Mixed-Use | May 5, 2015
Miami ‘innovation district’ will have 6.5 million sf of dense, walkable space
Designing a neighborhood from the ground-up, developers aim to create a dense, walkable district that fulfills what is lacking from Miami’s current auto-dependent layout.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 30, 2015
Atlanta Braves partner with Omni Hotels & Resorts to build hotel near new Suntrust Park
The Omni Atlanta Northwest Hotel will feature 16 floors with 260 guest rooms and suites, rooftop hospitality suites, 12,500 sf of meeting space, a signature restaurant, and an elevated pool deck and bar overlooking the plaza and ballpark.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 29, 2015
OMA unveils design for the Netherlands' largest hotel
Once completed, and if approved, the structure will add three stacked cubes to the Amsterdam skyline.
High-rise Construction | Apr 23, 2015
Size matters in NYC, where several projects vie for the city’s tallest building honor
The latest renderings of 217 West 57th Street show a tower that would rise higher than the World Trade Center’s pinnacle, when elevations are included.
High-rise Construction | Apr 22, 2015
Architects propose sustainable ‘vertical city’ in the Sahara
Designers aim to make the 1,476-foot tower sustainable, relying on rainwater collection, solar power, and geothermal energy.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 13, 2015
Figure-eight shaped hotel to open around PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Facility
Just three miles away from the Olympic stadiums, the hotel will be a hub of its own.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2015
$100 billion 'city from scratch' taking shape in Saudi Arabia
The new King Abdullah Economic City was conceived to diversify the kingdom's oil-dependent economy by focusing more in its shipping industry.
High-rise Construction | Mar 24, 2015
Timber high-rise residential complex will tower over Stockholm waterfront
The four towers, 20 stories each, will be made entirely out of Swedish pine, from frame to façade.
Mixed-Use | Mar 13, 2015
Dubai announces mega waterfront development Aladdin City
Planned on 4,000 acres in the Dubai Creek area, the towers will be covered in gold lattice and connected via air-conditioned bridges.