525 Olive
Bankers Hill, San Diego, California
525 Olive is a 20-story mixed-use residential tower designed to complement the adjacent historic St. Paul's Cathedral in the heart of San Diego. As the Landscape Architect, Urban Arena led all phases of the project, from concept through construction administration, crafting ground-level streetscape improvements, a publicly accessible ground-level courtyard, and a rooftop pool deck.
Hardscape design played an integral part in unifying the contemporary tower into the site's historic context. At the heart of the ground-level courtyard lies a custom labyrinth, designed as a contemplative space that honors the spiritual legacy of the Cathedral. Formed using sandblasting templates, concrete stains, and surface retarder finishes, the labyrinth offers a subtle yet meaningful pattern that encourages reflection and pause. Careful coordination with concrete subcontractors during construction ensured crisp execution and high-quality finish.
Paving patterns throughout the site also establish connections from vertical architecture to landscape design. Bands of contrasting integral color concrete, aligned with cathedral columns, are used to set raised planter locations and connection points from the contemporary tower to the historic cathedral.
On the rooftop, the indoor/outdoor connection between the pool deck and adjacent club room was important to the team. Urban Arena and the Interior Designer carefully collaborated to find porcelain tiles that could be specified for both interior and outdoor applications. Patterns and colors connecting interior and exterior spaces, guide residents from the elevator lobby, through the clubroom, past poolside lounges and dining areas, and terminate at the spa with uninterrupted flow.
Across all levels, the hardscape materials and detailing reflect a quiet elegance that bridges old and new, reinforcing the site's architectural and cultural significance.
TEAM LIST:
Landscape Architect: Urban Arena (Keith Mittemeyer, Founding Principal; Phillip Barnes, Associate; Sarah Jackson, Project Manager)
Owner & General Contractor: Greystar
Architect: Joseph Wong Design Associates
Interior Designer: Jules Wilson Design Studio
Landscape Contractor: Brightview Landscape Development
The Hardscapes Issue of Landscape Architect & Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online.
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