The Boulevard Collection

This week, we are getting an in-depth look at one of City Venture’s newest projects, The Boulevard Collection in Bellflower, California. This project consists of 10 residential-over-retail units and 57 townhomes, all within three-story buildings. Contemporary open floor plans range from 1,413 to 2,935 square feet with up to 3 bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms, all with two-car direct access garages.

With its strategically devised site plan and distinctive architectural design, both by WHA, this project provides an optimized opportunity for residents to live, work and play. Here’s an interview with the designers who helped make this project so successful.

– What were the design objectives for this project?

Balancing and optimizing the site plan and architecture with the existing community and its diverse zones were key objectives for the Boulevard Collection.

– What were the challenges and/or constraints?

The Boulevard Collection’s three main boundaries posed challenges as well as opportunities.  The sleepy residential to the west, the active retail to the south and the recreational Bellflower Bike Trail to the north required careful consideration and creative planning for this project.

Retail parking presented its own challenge with spaces needed outside the gated residential area.  Shared parking spaces, serving retail by day and residential by night, was the optimal solution.

The City’s requirement for one ADA unit per building, exceeding the 10% requirement, was an additional challenge, especially with regard to ADA circulation.

Low water usage was another requirement addressed by Studio Pad, Inc. with a drought tolerant landscape palette of sculptural succulents, colorful groundcover and soft-textured grasses.

– What was the design inspiration?

Historic Spanish Colonial architecture influenced The Boulevard Collection with a modern twist.   Well articulated, clean-lined massing is the backdrop for classic details—arches, wood trellises and decorative ceramic tile.  Stone cladding and the exterior color palette were chosen to balance and accentuate these themes of old and new.

– What makes this project stand out?

The Boulevard Collection dovetails perfectly with the existing community.  Townhome buildings side to existing residences, retail units align with other commercial venues and the Bellflower Bike Trail is fully integrated and accessible.