Nadel Architects-Designed Shopping Center Repositioned to Meet Irvine's Changing Demographics

Aug. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Construction is complete for Nadel Architects-designed Heritage Plaza, a 230,000-square-foot retail center in Irvine, Calif. Originally designed in the 1970s, Heritage Plaza, owned by Regency Centers, is one of the oldest shopping centers in Irvine. The $10 million renovation project repositioned the center to best meet the diverse needs of current and future customer demand.

Located at 14400 Culver Drive in one of the city’s busiest intersections, the Ralphs-anchored plaza also includes national retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Wendy's, RadioShack and Elephant Bar Restaurant. As part of the redevelopment plan, Regency Centers brought in Mitsuwa Marketplace, the nation’s largest Japanese supermarket which specializes in fresh produce, meat, baked goods and other authentic foods, as the junior anchor. The Asian grocer will provide the community with a distinctively new shopping experience and unique products not found in other neighborhood grocery stores.

“Our updated renovation designs, coupled with Regency’s remerchandising, have reshaped Heritage Plaza into a convenient, centralized shopping destination that provides a wide range of food and services catering to the growing and constantly changing Orange County community,” said Greg Palaski, Managing Principal of Nadel Architects and project director. “In addition to coming up with the most cost-effective way to redevelop the center and remain consistent with the tenants’ requirements, our design helped create an inclusive multicultural retail center for residents to enjoy.”  

Nadel’s design features included a new exterior façade, upgraded architectural components, canvas awnings, new landscaping, new monument, building and wayfinding signage, wider pedestrian walkways and the addition of focused gathering areas with benches, al fresco dining and sidewalk eating areas.

In addition to Palaski, Nadel’s project team consisted of Brent Bland, project manager, and Norman Viray and Fernando Trinidad as designers.

Nadel has worked on a variety of similar Regency projects recently, including Granada Village and Seal Beach Center.


About Nadel Architects
Nadel Architects provides comprehensive services ranging from architectural design, master planning and feasibility studies to complete interior design, planning and programming.  Nadel is ranked among the largest architectural firms in the world (#42 per Building Design + Construction, July 2009).  The company has completed more than 600 office buildings, 80,000 residential units, 30 million square feet of retail space, numerous hotels and resorts, and a variety of public and educational institutions, which have received more than 75 awards for design excellence.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm has designed a variety of projects located around the globe.  For more information, please visit www.nadelarc.com.