Exline Design - Retail - Irvine Spectrum

Portfolio • Retail

IRVINE SPECTRUM CENTER — ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Located on what is perhaps the premier retail site in all of Orange County, the IRVINE SPECTRUM CENTER project has continued in its development of two additional phases. The IRVINE COMPANY of Newport Beach, California, retained BAR ARCHITECTS of San Francisco, who in turn invited EXLINE DESIGN to participate in the creation of this highly–profiled retail and

entertainment complex. The center is situated at the ever–important southern juncture of the 5 and 405 freeways in South Orange County with immediate access to both of these greater LA–Metro arterial traffic-ways.

Known as The Village at IRVINE SPECTRUM CENTER, Phases III and IV added approximately 400,000 square feet of gross leasable area to the complex. The development utilizes a moderately–themed retail approach, and incorporates imagery from the Andalusian region of Southern Spain. It is within this area of Spain that the age–old richness of European culture mixed with expressions of the Islamic culture from northern Africa. Moorish art, architecture, ornamentation, and patterning converged with the European style to create a distinctive Andalusian aesthetic that is truly unique to world culture. Imagery from this rich heritage was the inspiration for the architectural expression of the shopping center’s expansion.

As if nestled against the fortress wall at the palace main gate of the project’s existing Phase II, The Village rambles along two primary “paseos” or streets. Sun–drenched meandering alley–ways, shady and intimate courts, medieval Spanish towers, graceful Moroccan arches, white washed facades, and simple tiled roofs typify the architectural ambiance of this recreated Andalusian village. Phases III & IV reinforced Irvine Spectrum’s commitment to the synergy of retail combined with entertainment by adding an Andalusian–themed Carousel and a Moorish “Giant Wheel” attraction to the complex.