Tseng has more than 20 years of retail and mixed-use design experience and demonstrates through his work a commitment to reinvigorating retail with a mix of uses, reimaging retail spaces into walkable mixed-use environments.
IRVINE, Calif. — (RealEstateRama) — KTGY Architecture + Planning announced today that the firm has promoted Michael Tseng, AIA to associate principal. Tseng has more than 20 years of retail and mixed-use design experience and demonstrates through his work a commitment to reinvigorating retail with a mix of uses, reimaging retail spaces into walkable mixed-use environments. Tseng most recently served as director of design and planning for KTGY’s retail and mixed-use practice areas.
“Michael has been instrumental in the growth of KTGY’s retail and mixed-use practice areas, having demonstrated a collaborative spirit with KTGY’s high-density and mixed-use studio,” said Tricia Esser, KTGY’s CEO. “Michael brings leading-edge retail design and placemaking principles to all his retail and mixed-use projects. In addition, his commitment to high-quality standards, design and technical excellence help to deliver effective and valuable results for our clients.”
Esser continues, “We are grateful for his dedication to creating vibrant, mixed-use environments that reinvigorate neighborhoods and entire communities, which is in keeping with KTGY’s continual search for better.”
Tseng’s current work on the boards and under construction includes:
Diamond Jamboree Phase II (Diamond Development) was originally conceptualized as the addition of a simple parking structure to address the parking shortage in the existing popular Diamond Jamboree Center in Irvine; however, the project morphed into a retail-wrapped structure due to the overwhelming demand for restaurant tenants. New tenants are envisioned as high-end sit-down restaurants, pop up Taco joint, juice bar, wine bar, Indian and Korean BBQ;
University Place Phase I and II (EB Arrow) is the reimagining of an existing 294,000-square-foot shopping center to include housing, restaurants, office space, and a community library. The lakefront property is situated in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, near the University of North Carolina, and will feature approximately 300 walk-up garden apartment units plus another 300 residential units in a residential-wrap building with 170,000 square feet of office space, a community library and restaurants. Some of the existing retail tenants will be relocated to the existing building across the street. The project is currently in the entitlement phase and the schematic design phase is expected to be kicked off by June of 2019.
Provo Towne Centre (Brixton Capital) is the reimagining of a 134,000-square-foot anchor retailer at Provo Towne Center in Provo, Utah, which inspired the repositioning of this 20-year-old enclosed shopping center. Plans call for deconstructing the existing Sears box into two levels of creative office space plus two to three restaurants and retailers. These spaces open on to a new landscaped plaza, creating an indoor and outdoor co-working space.
The Row (Heritage Development Group) is a 6.79-acre mixed-use development located in Fresno, California, which includes 255 residential units and 30,000 square feet of retail. The development is to be built in two phases with the retail plaza acting as the capstone, completing this stunning new walkable community. Situated on the corner of two main thoroughfares, the retail center serves as a buffer between the street and the residential community beyond. Two-story townhomes line the outer edges of the development, tying The Row into the surrounding single-family residential neighborhood. Three-story walk-up apartments are located along the interior of the development convenient to the pool, clubhouse, retail and townhomes.
A couple of recently completed projects by Tseng and his team include:
University Village Shops (Miromar Development Corporation) is a new 74,000-square-foot lifestyle center that provides pedestrian-friendly entertainment and dining experience adjacent to apartment residences for 588 students and Florida Gulf Coast University. The design of this open-air shopping center is inspired by Spanish and Mediterranean coastal architecture. The use of arched covered walkways, canvas awnings and water features reinforce the architectural style and provide cooling elements as well as protection from the warm Florida sun. The center is oriented towards a central paseo with the main courtyard facing the lake and the residential student housing buildings, and creates a university environment where students, staff and faculty can meet, shop and eat; and
Anaheim White House Restaurant ( Sir Chef Bruno Serato) is a two-story restaurant designed into a 1909 historic residence. Due to a tragic fire, the building needed significant repairs. The owner and architects took the opportunity to renovate the entire property. Working together with Brookfield Residential and the owner, KTGY provided design and architecture of the restoration and rebuild of the historic building’s exterior. Careful consideration had to be made during the process as the building needed to be brought up to the current code standards while also meeting the historic preservation guidelines. This included removing all non-historic elements that had been added to the façade over the years. The building footprint remained unchanged while the pillars and intricate details were recreated allowing the 110-year-old-building to feel brand new.
Tseng joined KTGY in 2014, having previously been involved in the design and planning of a wide variety of retail projects throughout the United States. Tseng is a licensed architect in California and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registrations Board (NCARB). He is also a 2018 graduate of KTGY’s proprietary leadership training program. Tseng received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and has served as a roundtable facilitator at ICSC’s CenterBuild Conference. Tseng is also an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and has been quoted in national and local publications about retail design.
About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Founded in 1991, KTGY Architecture + Planning is a leading full-service design firm focused on residential and mixed-use developments and neighborhood revitalization. KTGY seamlessly delivers innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple design studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to create memorable destinations of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. See www.ktgy.com.
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Anne Monaghan
MONAGHAN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
830.997.0963
