Catering to the ‘Millennial Executive’

Zephyr Partners is targeting an important demographic with their newest mixed-use development.

The BlockBy Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

San Diego—Lifescapes International has been selected by developer Zephyr Partners as the landscape architect for The Block, a planned 720,000-square-foot mixed-use, high-rise residential development in the heart of downtown San Diego.

“The site is terrific. It’s adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter, part of the financial district and will be an urban playground,” Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, Lifescapes International’s president, told MHN. “It’s a combination of for-sale, condos, retail on the ground floor and a hotel and will have very contemporary stylings.”

Located on Broadway between 7th and 8th Avenues in downtown San Diego, The Block will feature both a 41-floor and a 21-floor tower and Lifescapes International will design an expansive amenity deck, resort style pool, and transitional gardens, as well as the ground floor streetscape for the project.

“The Block is unlike any other residential development in the Southern California region,” Brinkerhoff-Jacobs said. “A project of this magnitude calls for truly out-of-the-box thinking that will result in the ultimate resident experience, which is something our firm has proven experience in creating.”

In fact, Lifescapes’ resume includes the landscape design for more than 12 of the most notable resorts on the Las Vegas strip, plus iconic landscape designs such as the Fillmore in San Francisco, 8500 and The Grove in Los Angeles, and the recently reinvigorated design at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in downtown San Diego.

According to Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, the Block goes above and beyond amenity space, incorporating large open and community environments that will drive the owner’s target renter—the Millennial executive.

“We understand the Millennial mindset, and we know how to deliver an environment that blends urbanism with beauty,” Brinkerhoff-Jacobs said. “Millennials want to be able to both work and play in the same location. By integrating strategic and thoughtful landscape design, we will be able to seamlessly deliver an environment that offers a vibrant Millennial lifestyle for residents.”

Plans call for an “active zone,” which will incorporate a large multi-functional lawn, which can be used for events and serve as a large gathering space for residents. Nearby, Lifescapes will create transitional gardens, including semi-private patios that will be set up to provide mini work stations where residents can access Wi-Fi and other amenities.

“To do something urban and have all these offerings in one location is extremely rare,” Brinkerhoff-Jacobs said. “It will have its own cache to those living in San Diego but also those who want to stay at the hotel. The challenge from our side is to make sure there are enough garden areas and meeting areas for everyone to enjoy.”

Lifescapes International will also design the landscape for the property’s pavilion, which will feature additional resident amenities including BBQs, bar counters, a shade structure and doggie relief area.