Research & Development Centers : Optical Manufacturer Slates Irvine Facility

An April completion is expected for the $9-million, 142,000-square-foot research and development/manufacturing facility in Irvine for American Medical Optics, a unit of American Hospital Supply.

Designed by Carli Architecture and built by Bernards Bros. Inc., the project incorporates an existing 36,000-square-foot structure in the Irvine Industrial Complex East. The eastern addition will provide 10,600 square feet of manufacturing space, while the four-level western addition will have 95,600 square feet of space.

Kearny Project Started

A spring completion is anticipated for Chesapeake Ridge, a $10-million, 102,094-square-foot corporate research and development center in Kearny Mesa’s Hazard Business Park. The developer of the three-building project is Jessen Development, the architect is Conwell/Marshall & Associates and the contractor is Koll Construction Co.

Sorrento Facility Set

Gascon-Mar, a California general partnership, is expected to start construction in March on an $8-million, 90,000-square-foot research and development and corporate office park on a 6.2-acre site on Nancy Ridge Road in the Gentry-Watts Industrial Park in Morrento Mesa. The site was sold for $2,959,500 by Wimpey Gentry, represented by ICOM Realty, to Gascon-Mar, represented by Coldwell Banker. Conwell/Marshall & Associates is the architect.

Camarillo Tech Park Set

Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter this year on the first three buildings of the nine-building, 530,000-square foot Lincoln Technology Park in Camarillo. The $50-million project is being developed by Lincoln Property Co., Foster City, Calif., on a 33-acre site fronting the Ventura (101) Freeway at Flynn Road. The architect is Barasch Architects & Associates Inc., Pasadena. The first phase will have about 230,000 square feet of space in three two-story buildings on 14 acres.

Housing Plant Converted

The former Silvercrest Homes mobile home manufacturing plant at 3845 E. Coronado St., Anaheim, has been converted into the $12-million, 120,000-square-foot Coronado Technology Center by Messenger Investment Co., Irvine. The Seeley Co. is marketing the project for lease or sale. The architect was Hill-Pinckert Associates, Irvine, while the contractor was Oltmans Construction Co., Monterey Park. Silvercrest has relocated to Corona.

Simi Park Nearing Finish

Lusk/Simi Industrial Park, a $14-million, 277,000-square-foot research and development project by John D. Lusk & Son, Irvine, is nearing completion on a 22-acre site on Agate Court off Easy Street in Simi Valley. Industrial Park Associates, Canoga Park, is the leasing agent for the 13-building development. The architects are JDO & Associates, Woodland Hills, and Barry Green, AIA, Los Angeles.

Kearny Mesa Park Slated

The Werdin-Darnell Cos., Costa Mesa, are developing three projects in San Diego County, including the $5.5-million Aero Court Research Park on a three-acre site on Aero Court near Aero Drive and Kearny Villa Road in Kearny Mesa. The 50,000-square-foot building was designed by Ware & Malcomb Architects, Irvine, and will be built by Hannah-Gillard Co. Grubb & Ellis Commercial Brokerage Group is the leasing agent.

Mira Mesa Park Planned

A spring completion is scheduled for Scranton Tech Center, a $12.5-million, two-building, 107,000-square-foot research and development project by the Werdin-Darnell Cos., Costa Mesa, on Barnes Canyon Road in the Lusk-Mira Mesa Industrial Complex. Ware & Malcomb Architects, Irvine, designed the project and Hannah-Gillard Co. is the contractor. Grubb & Ellis is the leasing agent.

Tech Center Started

Completion is scheduled this spring on the $14-million, 164,000-square-foot Miralani Technology Center being developer by Meyer Investment Properties, La Habra in the Miralani Business Park, Miralani Drive and Camino Ruiz in the Miramar section of San Diego. The architect of the three-building project is Cary Okumura, AIA, Canoga Park. Coldwell Banker is the leasing agent.