Desiring to be in the heart of the Corona del Mar village, the Hanley Investment Group wanted to create a building that reflected their identity – classic, solid, with a nod toward their creativity. After several concepts it became clear that creating a New York style loft was the route that would get them there. This allowed for a traditional warehouse building typology but one that was open to a “remodel.” Once the form was established it then became a simple functional game of how best to service the program. The first move was to slice out the base of the brick warehouse to create rentable storefront located on Pacific Coast Highway; the second move was to carve out an entrance to the new Hanley Investment Group corporate headquarters. This move emphasized their unique entrance and was accentuated by the change of materials, moving from brick to board formed concrete. Once through this inviting entry, the client and staff are greeted by an open conference room and a sculptural wood stair beckoning the caller upward. At the top of the stair the loft feel is emphasized by a series of saw-toothed windows, brick, and rustic wood flooring, with an open balcony reminding the team that we are still in California. These moves combined create a dynamic space that is sunlit, energetic, and open to possibilities.
