Three-Story Beverly Hills Office Building Completed in Former Industrial Triangle

Maple Plaza, a $65-million three-story office building, has opened at Maple and Alden drives, across from the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, in what used to be called Beverly Hill’s industrial triangle.

The site formerly was a multitenant industrial building containing such activities as auto repairing and clothing manufacturing.

“Rising real estate values and changing economics have led to the area’s inevitable redevelopment,” said Arnold Rosenstein, president of Realtech Development and Construction Co., Century City, developer of the project. He said the building is 60% leased.

John McRoskey, of Coldwell Banker’s Beverly Hills office, said the 3.3-acre site was one of the last large pieces of property available in the city.

Designed by Beverly Hills-based Maxwell Starkman Associates, Maple Plaza’s exterior is Spanish pink and darker rose granite with blue semi-reflective glass. The project’s two main entrance lobbies feature 45-foot high glass-enclosed gallerias topped by skylights.

The gallerias, like the courtyards into which they open, provide seating areas for informal meetings and relaxation.

“The open spaces in the gallerias create an environment of vitality, just the opposite of the cold feeling experienced in many other lobbies,” said Maxwell Starkman, president of the architectural firm.

Starkman cited the combination of window treatments used as one way the building will complement its surroundings. “Rather than a solid band of windows around the building, we featured punched window openings similar to house windows, because the site is bordered by a residential neighborhood. We tried to respect that and respond to it.

“But then one must turn around and deviate from that technique. The interior courtyards feature a solid glass window wall, a response to what might have become monotony if we had used all punched window openings.”

Realtech is the managing partner of Maple Plaza Ltd., the entity developing the project. Tishman Construction Corp., Los Angeles, is general contractor, and Chase Manhattan Bank is providing construction financing. POD Inc., Santa Ana, is landscape architect.