In September, we marked the completion of a world-class concert venue in San Diego and a vibrant arts center in Charleston. With our partners, we moved forward cutting-edge facilities for health and rehabilitation. Each of these projects share a unifying theme: bringing people together and fostering stronger, more connected communities. Read on to learn about these projects and their meaningful impact.
Completed Project
The reopening of the San Diego Symphony’s Jacobs Music Center was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening night concert. HGA reimagined the historic movie theater, which served as the Symphony’s home for over 40 years, transforming it into a modern, world-class concert venue through thoughtful redesign and historic preservation. The project featured a state-of-the-art acoustic upgrade to enhance the aural experience, alongside the meticulous restoration of the theater’s historic elements. Critical improvements were also made to the mechanical and life-safety systems. Additional highlights include updated seating, improved sightlines, enhanced accessibility, new above-stage seating, a choral terrace, and flexible spaces for the San Diego Symphony to engage musicians and the public in new ways. Read the full story here.
Project Milestones
HGA attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed UC Davis Panda Care Center of Hope in Sacramento, California. Designed to promote healing by addressing the patient’s entire well-being, the Center aligns with Panda Care Center of Hope’s four pillars: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. In collaboration with UC Davis, HGA renovated an existing storage room, transforming it into a dynamic activity space providing a range of activities including art, science, music, reading, computer technology, video production, and school resources. Additionally, a welcoming entrance was added, along with accessibility enhancements ensuring inclusivity for all children and families. The thoughtful design of the Panda Care Center of Hope supports recovery in an innovative, child-centered environment, intended to ease young patients’ fears and calm anxiety. Learn more here.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the reopening of the College of Charleston’s Simons Center for the Arts in Charleston, South Carolina. Originally built in 1979 for 800 students, the Center underwent a much-needed renovation and expansion as enrollment in the arts grew to nearly 5,000. HGA, in partnership with Liollio Architecture, worked with the College to transform the Simons Center into a vibrant, cross-disciplinary hub for the arts, fostering collaboration among various disciplines, and making the arts more accessible and visible. The additions include colorful exterior glazed ceramic baguettes and tiles, a bright and welcoming lobby, a new black box theater, new studios and classrooms, and updates to the existing theater, recital hall, studios for drawing, sculpture, and music, along with other modern amenities. These improvements bring the Simons Center into the 21st century, enhancing the student experience and welcoming the community in. Read more here.
HGA attended a ceremonial groundbreaking marking the start of construction for the Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI) expansion in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The 79,000-square-foot addition will double VBRI’s research capacity and create 100 new jobs, pivotal to advancing life-saving research in areas such as blood disorders, immune diseases, and cancer research. The expansion consists of a four-story addition including 30 additional lab modules with associated core lab and support space, additional offices, collaboration space, and a café with outdoor space for researchers and patients. Designed by HGA and built by Mortenson, the expansion will support VBRI’s mission to transform blood health and deliver breakthrough therapies to patients worldwide. Learn more here.
New Projects
The new continuing care retirement community at 910 Marshall Street in Redwood City, California, will stand as one of the tallest buildings in San Mateo County at 30 stories. The development will offer 313 apartments, along with retail spaces and parking facilities. Designed by HGA, in collaboration with R&M Properties, and landscape architecture firm SWA, the project will feature two buildings, including an eight-story secondary building housing amenities, resident services, and additional units for residents requiring specialized care. The facility will offer a variety of on-site amenities aimed at promoting an active and social lifestyle for its residents, including a wellness center, an indoor pool, a sauna, a yoga room, a bistro, a café, community event spaces, and a theater. Additionally, ample outdoor areas will provide tree-lined sidewalks and plazas, a pedestrian and bike path, generous open public space, and rooftop decks, combining the advantages of green space with urban living. Read more about the new development here.
HGA is designing a new facility for Meta House, a nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of addiction by providing comprehensive treatment to women and holistic support for their families. Located in Milwaukee’s Piggsville neighborhood, the facility will feature an outpatient clinic and a residential facility. Meta House, founded in 1963, was one of the first centers to allow women to bring their children and continues to serve women regardless of their ability to pay. HGA’s design will enhance operational efficiency while meeting Wisconsin Department of Health Service standards. A co-location suite off the centralized reception hub will provide access to court facilitators, child welfare workers, and other medical services. The campus will include group treatment rooms, child-centered spaces, therapy offices, and family support areas. A central hub connects the outpatient and residential buildings, offering daycare, community space, and a large reception area for clients and support groups. Read more here.