1970s brutalist office in LA to become apartments
Historic building in Sherman Oaks to transform into 95-unit housing project
1Historic building gains new purpose
KFA Architecture plans to convert a 1970s brutalist office building in Los Angeles' Sherman Oaks neighborhood into 95 apartments. Originally designed by AC Martin Associates as the headquarters for Sunkist Growers cooperative, the building has been owned by IMT Residential since 2013 and vacant since Sunkist's relocation in 2015. With its recent designation as a historic-cultural monument, the building will be repurposed for residential use under Los Angeles' newly adopted Adaptive Reuse Ordinance.
2Seismic resilience upgrades completed
After the building became vacant, IMT Residential commissioned Johnson Fain to restore the structure and improve its earthquake resistance. Johnson Fain also created a masterplan for the 8.3-acre Citrus Commons site, designing several new buildings. The conversion will utilize the building's high ceilings to create residential units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. The mezzanines on the podium level will be integrated into the apartment designs while maintaining the brutalist architectural features.
3Updated city ordinance accelerated the project
Los Angeles City Planning's updated Adaptive Reuse Ordinance provides exemptions from certain zoning requirements and expands the applicable area beyond downtown. IMT Residential selected KFA for this conversion project partly due to the studio's role in advancing the city's first ARO in 1999. Construction is planned to begin immediately after approval of KFA's plans. The smallest apartment in the project will measure 516 square feet, exceeding the current zoning minimum of 450 square feet for new residences.
4Preservation of brutalist architecture
The project aims to preserve brutalist architectural features while adapting the building for contemporary residential use. According to IMT Residential's press release, "Citrus Commons demonstrates how reimagined historic buildings can serve future generations while preserving iconic architecture." The conversion will maintain the building's distinctive concrete exterior while modernizing interiors to meet current living standards. Former laboratory and printing spaces will be repurposed as amenities for residents.
5Global examples of brutalist conversions
The adaptive reuse of brutalist office buildings is becoming increasingly common worldwide. In Connecticut, Becker + Becker converted a Marcel Breuer-designed building into Hotel Marcel. In Slovenia, OFIS Arhitekti transformed a brutalist printworks into offices. These projects serve as successful examples of preserving brutalist architecture while giving it new purpose. The Sunkist building conversion in Los Angeles will join this growing trend of architectural preservation through adaptive reuse.
6Former lab and printing spaces to become amenities
The project will repurpose the building's former laboratory and printing areas as communal amenities for residents. The 165,000-square-foot building's industrial spaces will be converted into shared facilities while maintaining their architectural character. The design preserves the building's brutalist identity while updating interiors to contemporary residential standards. This approach balances historic preservation with modern living requirements, creating unique living spaces within an architectural landmark.
7Contributing to neighborhood transformation
The Citrus Commons project is part of a larger residential development that will impact the entire Sherman Oaks neighborhood. The masterplan includes several new buildings on the 8.3-acre site alongside the converted Sunkist building. Upon completion, the project will increase local housing supply while reintegrating a historic structure into the urban fabric. Such adaptive reuse projects contribute to sustainable urban development by preserving architectural heritage while meeting contemporary needs.
8Adaptive reuse as urban planning trend
The Sunkist building conversion exemplifies the growing importance of repurposing historic structures to meet modern needs while preserving cultural heritage. Adaptive reuse projects reduce the environmental costs of new construction and help address land scarcity in dense urban areas. They also maintain cities' architectural character and historical continuity. KFA's project in Los Angeles represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainable preservation, demonstrating how iconic buildings can be adapted for new generations while retaining their architectural significance.