4000 MacArthur

Redesigned lobby and courtyard breathe new life into dated office complex

The redesign for 4000 MacArthur revitalized an existing pair of 10-story, mirrored-glass office buildings with approximately 360,000 square feet of leasable space. Located on busy road, the property offered high visibility, but the outdated buildings needed an upgrade to attract a new generation of tenants.

The goal was to rebrand the existing buildings with a more modern aesthetic. The design created a fresh look for the main entry, added new amenities for tenants and transformed an underused outdoor court into an active plaza where professionals can collaborate and socialize.

The redesigned entry creates a grand arrival off the main street, while a new glass-paneled shared lobby connects the two buildings. Translucent white glazing makes the two-story lobby stand out against the two darkly tinted towers, and designers used illuminated glass to capture attention at night. The lobby interior features sleek new wall panels, terrazzo-style flooring and linear LED lighting. An accent bed of river rock relates to landscape materials outside.

Off the lobby, a new café opens onto a completely reimagined outdoor space. Seating and brightly colored umbrellas foster an inviting place for workers to hold informal meetings, eat lunch or relax and enjoy the mild Orange County climate. The large patio’s standout features include a planted “green wall” and water fountains that provide white noise to enable more private conversations.