Irvine Tower Reflects Rising-Skyline Trend
Irvine’s urbanization is reflected in the new high-rise corporate structures that have evolved from the low-rise, garden-style office projects of the mid-’60s and the mid-height glass structures of the mid-’70s.
Newest evidence of this changing Irvine skyline is the newly completed 2600 Michelson, a $70-million, 16-story office tower in the center of the Irvine Business Complex. The building rises 270 feet, making it the highest in the area.
Transpacific Development Co., a commercial real estate development and asset management firm based in Torrance, is the developer.
The 327,000-square-foot structure designed by Gin Wong & Associates of Los Angeles is at Michelson Drive and Teller Avenue and is one mile from John Wayne Airport.
Hexagon-shaped, the building is framed with more than 2,800 tons of steel and utilizes more than 102,000 square feet of Texas red granite for its exterior, three-story lobby and other common areas. Construction was completed ahead of schedule by C. L. Peck of Los Angeles, the general contractor.
‘Urban Amenities’
Special architectural features include an elevated brick plaza surrounding an inverted cascading fountain and landscaped with a variety of plants and mature trees.
“Our effort throughout was to design an office building that would provide its tenants with urban amenities in what is still largely a suburban community,” Gin Wong said.
Floor space has been laid out to satisfy major tenants, as well as smaller users, giving the majority of offices spacious windows and views. A multilevel parking structure and surface lot on an eight-acre site accommodate 1,300 cars.
Tenant Security System
A building automation system featuring card key access to individual floors and offices has been installed for tenant security and convenience. In addition, 2600 Michelson offers a corporate concierge service.
Cushman & Wakefield, the exclusive leasing agent, reports that GlenFed Mortgage Corp. has signed a 10-year lease for 24,000 square feet of space, valued at $5.7 million, and that Prudential Development Group has contracted for a five-year lease for 5,000 square feet, valued at $600,000.
Additional commitments for 118,000 square feet, valued at $15.2 million, are under negotiation with prospective tenants.
