HED participated in the design competition for the redevelopment of a surface parking lot in the heart of Carlsbad Village in coastal north county San Diego. Taking its cues from the urban fabric of the seaside Village of Carlsbad, seven residential buildings with varied architectural styling are oriented around open-air courtyards punctuated by a grand public plaza and neighborhood-serving retail space. The transformation of an 11-acre surface parking lot into a community destination proposes 400 mixed-income apartments, five acres of public open space, 15,000 SF of retail space, and over an acre of open space for the residents.

The prime location at the Carlsbad Village transit stop creates a new, transit-oriented development approach in coastal North San Diego County with a unique placemaking opportunity to enhance the funky and vibrant character of the Village. The building massing, materials, and public realm blur the lines between public and private, creating strong visual and physical connections throughout the site.