The Future of Cross-Border Real Estate

Come join David McCullough and other industry leaders at Bisnow’s Cross-Border Real Estate: San Diego and Tijuana forum. The August 23 event will be held at The Westin San Diego (West Broadway location). Learn what’s happening around transnational real estate and what the future holds for San Diego’s cross-border relationship with Tijuana.

Attendees will learn:

• The unique advantages that the Tijuana marketplace provides for our city.
• How policy reform is impacting new businesses in these markets.
• What U.S. firms and investors need to know before expanding across the border.

Principal David McCullough will moderate a panel discussion regarding investment, development and design for cross-border real estate. A not-to-miss event!

Learn more and register here →

A Potent Antidote Takes Root on the Grounds of This Global Pharmaceutical Facility

With every project we design at McCullough, we want to tell a story. For this fast-tracked project with an aggressive budget, we turned this potential flood plain and dated Sorrento Valley property into a potent antidote to contrast with the seriousness of the pharmaceutical work conducted within its walls. We collaborated with McFarlane Architects to create a desirable space for the talent working in this Alexandria Real Estate Equities property.

Senior Associate Benjamin Arcia took his vision to contrast the elegant minimalism of the renovated building with pathways that meander between puffy, cloud-like masses of native grasses and perennials. Constellations of colorful yarrow and verbena pop in front of the regimented, monochrome buildings. The plantings are loose, wild, natural and highly seasonal, creating a meditative atmosphere where the tenants can walk and be inspired by their quiet environment.

Creating beauty in the landscape is just a part of the formula for successful landscape architecture. Designing for the site’s physical features must be addressed. Sorrento Valley is well known for flooding, and this site lies within a flood plain. To protect the building from extreme flooding, we built a protective berm along the street. This berm doubles as a sound barrier and privacy screen to shield the courtyard from outside distractions.

Going Native

To complete Benjamin’s design, we planted sycamores and cottonwood trees to celebrate the native trees that inhabit riparian zones such as this one. Dramatic lighting, in-ground speakers and movable furniture all work together to make the courtyard an ideal functional space. At first glance, it resembles a wild meadow sprinkled with trees. Wispy grasses, dappled sunlight and colorful flowers are the perfect medicine for employees to take in every day.

Benjamin Arcia, M.U.D.
Senior Associate at McCullough

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SMPS Build Business Brings A/E/C Professionals to Our Hometown

A big “HELLO” to our fellow A/E/C professionals who will be coming to San Diego for the SMPS national Build Business conference beginning August 15 through 17. This is an unrivaled opportunity to network with marketing and business development individuals and to cultivate skills to improve and grow businesses by winning projects and nurturing loyal clients. We are proud to be Silver Sponsors and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

View the 2018 conference schedule →

Brian Frederick Advances to Professional Landscape Architect

Brian Frederick (pictured center), David McCullough (to his right) and fellow Associate Eric Tran (far left) consult with Mosher Drew on a current project

Having recently passed his California licensure exam, McCullough is proud to announce that Brian Frederick has been promoted to the title of Associate Landscape Architect and has also been given the additional title of Business Development Manager.

“Brian will work to acquire new opportunities and strengthen client relations, in addition to evaluating current business performance and profitability,” explained Catherine McCullough, President and CEO of McCullough.

Read the press release →

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A Living Wall That INSPIRES, IMPRESSES AND CREATES AMAZING IMPACT

McCullough recently completed a project at Torrey Plaza with the firm Gensler San Diego. Torrey Plaza is an office space that was transformed into a remarkable space where tenants and visitors can “get away from it all” and take in the calming landscape architecture. The project scope for the McCullough team included a design for a 190-square-foot living wall, complete renovation to the exterior patio and two interior fountain courtyards with plantings. To round out the project, McCullough designed the furniture layout and conceptualization for both interior and exterior spaces.

While it was extremely enjoyable (especially the interior courtyards and living wall) as well as a learning experience from an artistic, mechanical and functional point of view, the most rewarding aspect of working on this project was the impression it leaves on the client and their guests. The living wall is a highlight as you enter the building which draws visitors directly through to the café patio and lounge. As described by the client, “We’re so happy with our new green wall and have received many compliments from our tenants, as well as from visiting vendors.”

The McCullough team is dedicated to using the experience gained from this unique project to apply to their other projects in the future.

Brian Frederick, PLA
Associate Landscape Architect and Business Development Manager at McCullough

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NAVIGATING MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS AND EVOLVING MARKETS

Principal David McCullough has been selected to participate on the panel for the upcoming CREW luncheon on July 24th, to be held at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse in San Diego. An expert in mixed-use development, David and the other panel members will discuss the successes and challenges of developing for mixed-use and the changing markets for urban and suburban projects.

Register today →

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URBAN PLANNING AND THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN SAN DIEGO

Join McCullough Tuesday, July 31st as they sponsor Bisnow’s Design Matters: San Diego Construction & Development. David McCullough will join a panel of other industry leaders to discuss innovative trends in construction and design as well as solutions for future developments and the impact of the CEQA overhaul.

Learn more and register for this event →

McCullough Selected for National City Revitalization Project

Malick Infill Development has selected McCullough to collaborate with their team along with the architectural firm Miller Hull to design a mixed-use development in the center of National City. The project will bring a burst of new life to a once-vibrant part of San Diego.

This catalyst project, which will help stimulate surrounding developments, will consist of 108 apartment units on seven levels with retail shopping, a co-work space and live/work lofts.

In a recent issue of the DDC Journal, developer Andrew Malick shares his enthusiam for the project, “We’re excited to work with city leaders to complete their vision for a walkable downtown National City.”

Read the DDC article here →

McCullough’s objectives are to activate the street scene and develop creative user-experiences on the podium deck and on the rooftop level. The street scene will be part of a larger city-developed street activation plan. The firm is planning cafe and pedestrian programming within the alleys along the front and sides of the building.

Unique to this project will be a seamless user-environment between the private property and the public right of way. On the podium deck, McCullough is designing a festive environment where people can go outside from interior spaces and enjoy the view from an elevated plaza. The rooftop, similar to the podium, will have indoor/outdoor components with panoramic views of downtown San Diego, Coronado and San Diego Bay. A collaborative working space is planned for the upper floors and will have direct access to the views.

Projects like these are a perfect fit for McCullough as the firm is rooted in community engagement and revitalization as part of their mission statement. Meet them on the rooftop when the project is complete for a toast of champagne and those great views!

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Renderings courtesy of Miller Hull

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Catherine McCullough Lands a National Leadership Role

McCullough is thrilled to announce that President and CEO Catherine McCullough has been appointed At-Large Director for the National Society for Marketing Professional Services 2018-19 Board of Directors.

“I am proud to represent not only the West Coast and San Diego in this national board position for SMPS, but our profession as well! I believe I am the only person from a landscape architecture firm on the board.”
— Catherine McCullough, President and CEO

Read the press release →

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Stewards to the Natural World and Built Environment

The San Diego Business Journal recently published this May McCullough article titled “What is Landscape Architecture?” Written by Associate Landscape Designer Brian Frederick, he describes the effects that great landscape architecture has on people, the place and the environment.

AS SEEN IN SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL

Poway Road Trading Post Development Sparks Future Growth

“We're excited that the Poway Road Trading Post development just received a thumbs-up from the Poway City Council," says McCullough’s Project Manager Brian Frederick. The project is 1.58 acres and was formerly home to the Poway Irrigation and Poway News Chieftain buildings.

Renderings courtesy of AVRP Skyport Studios

This trailhead for urban development within Poway boasts activation and connectivity. Bisecting the development is a prominent and rising urban “paseo” of spill out spaces for the various restaurant, retail and residential tenants. From within the family oriented, backyard-like setting of the second story patios, tenants have distant views of Palomar Mountain over the tops of adjacent low-rise developments.

This project was nicknamed the City of Poway’s new "guiding light," by a local councilman in a recent San Diego Union Tribune article. The site is on Poway Road and intended to be a catalyst for future development in the area. McCullough’s design focuses on creating memorable places by balancing the use of open space and landscape areas. The firm is known for providing visually stunning and functional landscape architecture that residents, the public, entrepreneurs and investors benefit from.

Brian Frederick
Associate

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McCullough Project Featured in Prominent San Diego Publication

McCullough is proud to be part of a unique design-build project featured in the May 2018 edition of San Diego Home & Garden magazine. With a bright, contemporary vibe, gorgeous outdoor amenities to entertain family, and a carefully planted green wall for privacy, this remodel transformed owners Joe and Marjorie Davies’ La Jolla residence into the dream home they’d been longing for.

Read the full article >

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A Taste of Tijuana's Revival

Join us Friday, June 1st for San Diego Architectural Foundation’s annual forum, Context Volume 5: The Tijuana Renaissance. This “Feast for the Heart” begins with a VIP bus tour to Tijuana’s famous Culinary Art School, Mexico’s first Gold LEED building, and other sites and includes a culinary fair, historical exhibit, musical performance, reception, forum and more.

Register here >

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Oakland: A City Primed for Growth

McCullough is excited to attend as sponsors of Bisnow’s Oakland Construction, Tech and Development Update! The event will take place in Oakland on Thursday, June 14th. Attendees will learn about projects that are shaping the landscape of Northern California, how new trends and tech are providing solutions in the East Bay, and other plans coming down the pipeline.

Register here >