by Orange County Business Journal
When it comes to developing senior housing in Orange County, it really does take a village, USA Properties Fund Chief Executive Geoff Brown told the Business Journal. Roseville-based USA Properties Fund and Tustin-based Riverside Charitable Corporation teamed up with several public agencies and private groups to complete The Orion, a $63.6 million, 166-unit affordable senior housing community. Located at 188 E. La Veta Avenue on the former site of the Rehabilitation Institute of Orange County, the property is less than a mile east of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and just a few blocks north of Hart Park in Orange near the Garden Grove Freeway.
by USA Today
There was a time when if you wanted to go shopping, enjoy a terrific dinner out, and take in some top-shelf entertainment, you'd have to drive to at least three different places. Thankfully, those dark days are behind us. Shopping centers bring together a diverse selection of places to shop, eat, and play in a single convenient location. These vibrant hubs offer something for everyone, from popular national brands to unique local shops, making them a top destination for long-time residents and travelers alike. The most remarkable shopping centers aren't just places to buy things; they're community gathering spots that provide a clean, safe, and enjoyable environment for their many visitors.
by Steven Sharpe | Urbanize Los Angeles
In Chinatown, construction is completed for a new modular apartment complex near L.A. State Historic Park. Designed by AO, the project at 1457 N. Main Street is named The Parkline in reference to the nearby green space. The six-story structure is composed of prefabricated modular units, and contains 376 studio and one-bedroom apartments atop 6,448 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and parking for 82 vehicles.
by Mark Mueller | Orange County Business Journal
A slow period for new hotel development in Orange County, particularly along the coast, looks set to end this summer, with work starting for a pair of high-profile projects at the revitalized Dana Point Harbor. Groundbreaking is expected this August for an upscale, 130-room hotel, as well as a more affordable, 169-room hotel at the harbor, said Bob Olson, chief executive of Newport Beach-based R.D. Olson Development.
by Citybiz
Harbor Island West Marina held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the official start of construction of its $70 million redevelopment project, which will enhance the bayfront experience for recreational boaters, marine businesses and the greater San Diego community. Development leaders, Port of San Diego officials and project partners gathered at Harbor Island West Marina to commemorate the large-scale revitalization project that delivers modern marina infrastructure and expanded public access to one of San Diego Bay’s most established waterfront destinations.
by CoStar
Once the world’s largest goldfish farm and later an enclosed mall, an Orange County site is being reshaped once again — this time into an 83-acre neighborhood with thousands of homes for sale and rent. That transformation kicked into higher gear this month when Shopoff Realty Investments demolished the 52‑year‑old Westminster Mall in Westminster, California, clearing the way for Bolsa Pacific, a redevelopment planned with 2,250 homes and apartments, about 210,000 square feet of retail, a 120‑room hotel and roughly 15 acres of open space.
by San Francisco YIMBY
The City of Belmont has approved an additional $2 million to jumpstart construction of an eight-story affordable housing complex at 951 Old County Road in Belmont, San Mateo County. The plan will bring new low and extremely-low-income residents close to the city’s Caltrain Station. San Diego-based CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development is the project’s developer.
by Kevin Barr | New York Post
Deep in the California desert, a massive new luxury surf park promising 1,000 artificial waves an hour is officially set to open next summer. DSRT Surf, a sprawling new surf resort in Palm Desert powered by Wavegarden Cove technology, announced it plans to launch in summer 2026 with a giant wave lagoon and luxury resort experience in the middle of the Coachella Valley, according to Surfer Magazine. The project’s 5.5-acre surf lagoon is designed to generate up to 1,000 waves per hour using Wavegarden’s 52-module system, which creates multiple wave styles simultaneously for surfers of different skill levels.
by Urban Land Institute
Many early entrants relied on asset-heavy models that required sustained scale to remain viable. When pipelines slowed or capital markets shifted, the economics unraveled. But throughout this period, architects, general contractors, and subcontractors were also adopting industrialized approaches. Those who persevered through the learning curve and began achieving real efficiencies have emerged as the next generation of industrialized construction practitioners. Many, such as Nibbi Brothers General Contractors and AO, now provide dedicated modular services.
by John Caulfield | Building Design+Construction
from 50% in the financing threshold to receive the credits.
In California, KTGY’s Ciammaichella is seeing “a tremendous amount” of legislation being passed that is intended to help expedite the delivery of all housing, including affordable, starting with SB 330, which has been in effect for five years and provides developers with a clearer path forward for project approval. Ioanna Magiati, a Partner at the architecture firm AO, points to AB 130 and SB 131, which California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law last June. Key provisions in the legislation include California Environmental Quality Act exemptions for housing and a freeze on state and local building...
by Moira Ritter | CoStar
After decades of complications, 17 acres of underutilized land in Orange County have become a state-of-the-art industrial campus. Known as Stadium Landing, the 340,000-square-foot campus spans two buildings. It was developed by Pacific Industrial and completed in 2025. The project has earned a 2026 CoStar Impact Award for commercial development of the year, as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
by Steve Griffin | CRE Market Beat
NewQuest has started construction on the multi-tenant portion of Texas Heritage Marketplace, a planned $400 million retail destination in Katy. The newly launched phase centers on a five-acre, park-like green space now branded as Heritage Grove, which is designed to be framed by restaurant and wellness-focused retail offerings and several junior anchor spaces. Plans for the multi-tenant component call for 35,000 square feet dedicated to dining concepts and spa- or fitness-related retail surrounding Heritage Grove. In addition, the project includes more than 100,000 square feet set aside for four junior anchors positioned at the core of the development. This configuration is intended to integrate the anchors with the...
by Paul Bubny | ConnectCRE
Architecture firm AO broke ground on Bolsa Pacific at Westminster. Developed by Shopoff Realty Investments, the 83.3-acre mixed-use project replaces the former vacant Westminster Mall in Orange County with approximately 2,250 residential units, 220,000 square feet of retail, a 120-key hotel and more than 15 acres of publicly accessible open space. The development of Bolsa Pacific occurs as retail repositioning has become of the top real estate trends, with 46% of former malls being transformed into mixed-use environments, according to Capital One Shopping. AO is serving as the master planner and design architect for the residential and retail components.
by CoStar NEWS
Parking is evolving from a routine line item into a significant priority that can dictate whether a project moves forward, according to Jason Rupp, a partner at AO, an Orange, California-based architecture firm with a broad portfolio of commercial properties and experience designing more than 200 parking structures. “Parking has always been part of development, but over the past two decades, it has evolved into a major design and budget driver,” Rupp told CoStar News.
by Jason Rupp | NAIOP
For decades, parking structures were treated as the throwaway line in a pro forma — necessary, unglamorous and rarely questioned. That thinking no longer works. As cities densify and mobility shifts, parking is becoming one of the most strategic pieces of real estate on a site. Done wrong, it’s a sunk cost. Done right, it drives frontage, obtains lease premiums and provides future-proof value. The rise of electric vehicles, the push for placemaking and the demand for mixed-use connectivity are rewriting the rules. A garage is no longer just a container for cars — it’s an urban asset that shapes experience, revenue and resilience.
by CoStar
The Lexus of Orlando dealership doesn't look anything like a typical shop where cars get oil changes and timing belt replacements. Instead, it reflects how many dealerships appear these days, especially in the service area. Dealerships are revving up their offerings with fancy showrooms and lounges to entice customers. Lexus of Orlando has a "two-story showroom with multiple lounge seating arrangements, a café, entertainment area [and] quiet lounges for visitors to have personal space, as well as open community lounges," according to Praxis3, the architecture firm that designed the dealership.
by Mia Laureys | Orange County Business Journal
AO is pleased to announce that Dan Ringler has joined the firm as Principal. With more than 30 years of experience, Ringler is a seasoned design leader recognized for guiding high-performing teams, cultivating trusted client relationships, and driving growth across diverse sectors. In his new role, Ringler will contribute to AO’s expanding practices in Healthcare, Science + Technology, and Commercial design.
by Paul Bubny | Connect CRE
Designed by Architects Orange and Kimley Horn, Desert Sky Plaza II will be the second phase of the existing Home Depot-anchored Desert Sky Plaza. This new phase will be anchored by Target, Burlington and other soft goods retailers. The NewMark Merrill development team includes Sandy Sigal, chairman and CEO; Susan Rorison, COO; Jim Patton, SVP of leasing & acquisitions; Sandra Kist, CFO; Brad Pearl, EVP; Luca Giovanardi, chief development officer; Greg Giacopuzzi, VP, leasing and development; and Elaine Weiss, senior project manager, construction & development.
by Steven Sharp | Urbanize Los Angeles
The Azusa City Council recently approved plans to redevelop portions of a golf course near the San Gabriel River. The Azusa Greens project, slated for a property at 919 Sierra Madre Avenue, would involve the redevelopment of roughly 40 acres of the golf course of the same name. Formerly a full 18-hole course, the site has been reduced to 16 holes, and would be further reduced to nine holes after completion of the new project.
by Mia Laureys | Orange County Business Journal
AO, a leading architecture, design, and planning firm, is proud to announce the promotion of nine team members to Associate. Congratulations to Rudy Carbajal, Daniel Danciu, David Esparza, Cortney Hagee, Dinh Le, Tyson McGuire, Jahn Nguyen, William Troeak, and David White, NCARB. These individuals represent the next generation of leadership at AO. Each has demonstrated a strong command of design, technical execution, and project delivery, while consistently supporting clients, consultants, and internal teams with clarity and professionalism.