Livability is key: We wanted to create an apartment building that fit a lot of units while feeling spacious and comfortable. Smart, efficient design not only supports more apartments, but the Trademark’s C-shaped building form let us create a larger courtyard that draws in more natural daylight. The sense of movement in Trademark’s façade is a modern play on the historical style that is prominent in DTLA. Natural materials such as concrete and zinc relate to the site’s history as a major transit station. Vertical backlit bronze elements provide a richness and prominence to the street façade and are illuminated like a marquee. Passersby, too, are drawn into the Trademark through ground-floor retail spaces. Stoops on Olive Street encourage tenants to interact with their neighborhood and bring active pedestrian life to the street. By creating outdoor spaces that people can get to and actually use, we wanted to change the mindset of how urban residential living can feel. The site’s history informed our design, inspiring us to create a square facade reminiscent of a vintage streetcar. Zinc and concrete materials articulate a simple, yet innovative design, while the backlit bronze features evoke classic marquees. These entertainment-era tones connect the Trademark with the current neighborhood while setting a standard for future high-quality developments. Critically for our client, our efficient design increased the initial apartment unit count from 615 to 660—which includes Trademark's sibling site, Park Fifth—while remaining within the FAR (floor area ratio) limit. By understanding the relationship that must exist between the parking garage structure and unit configurations, we reduced the garage area by one-third and parked the same number of cars. Overall, the Trademark delivers more square footage, more leasable units, and better designs that are well positioned in the market.

Inspired by the site's history, our interior design concept for Trademark hinges on kinetic motion, contrast, and reflection. We fuse Art Deco style with elegant, abstract interpretations of train travel to bring residents aboard an experience of effortless living and contextual luxury. Trademark’s dynamic, ground-level leasing lobby encourages activity and social connections between staff and residents. The hospitality-inspired feel is reinforced through the use of natural stones, warm wood textures, luxe metals & mirrored ceilings. Upholstered front concierge desk and integrated illumination are reminiscent of glamorous train car appointments The materials are used to create an elegant, modern, and enduring bridge between past and present. Bronze metal above the leasing desk artfully recalls the scale and form of train tracks. Decorative lamps provide the intimate, warm glow throughout the space, reflecting brilliantly against wood and metal accents that highlight the custom wall covering mural behind the built-in concierge desk. Beyond the lobby, Art Deco-inspired metal screens and patterning serve as wayfinding elements that guide residents through key transition areas; they are a cohesive welcoming feature when entering or exiting elevators, units, or amenity spaces. Customized unit entry signage and lighting completes the hospitality feel of our design. The clubroom and outdoor courtyard on the third level are the “extended living room” of the luxury residence. Complete with space to entertain guests, take a fitness class, or relax in a private cabana beside the pool, our design coordinates each space to create a collective amenity retreat in the heart of DTLA.