“I chose the materials for a reason,” says Farrow, standing on a rooftop deck. “Cedar will age and arrive at its final color—a deep silver gray that will achieve that moody beachiness.” As both the architect and developer, Farrow was able to maximize the lot (former home to an old medical building) and methodically tap into the lagoon’s natural beauty throughout the design with unfolding decks and surprise-and-delight views chiseled into unexpected rooms. “This site presented a unique opportunity to offer a private life facing onto nature while also offering a very public, urban lifestyle with restaurants, mass transit, and the beach all within walking distance,” he said. Next up? Environmentalists celebrated the December news that a generous $3 million donation to the Buena Vista Audubon Society will transform the 220 acres of lagoon from freshwater to a native saltwater habitat. The saltwater option would reinvigorate the lagoon, killing off invading vegetation and adding more species of fish and birds while reducing problems with mosquitoes and flooding. On State Street, the award-winning Safdie Rabines is getting in on the action. The new saw-toothed Seaglass consists of eight breezy townhomes featuring elevators, garages, double decks, and ocean views. “Carlsbad surprised us with its urban village feel,” says founding partner Taal Safdie. “The train is very much part of the city activity here.” As such, the architects created floor plans that tapped into the street energy, connecting residents to the village action— not separating them from it. That philosophy also strongly influences the NTCD station development proposal, where they teamed up with Fabric. Located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, the station draws hundreds of thousands of riders annually. Redevelopment could
accommodate more than 300 residential units and offers the potential for some 40,000 square feet of commercial space while providing parking for transit riders, residents, and patrons. The other two finalists are Sea Breeze Properties run by father-and- son developers Gary Levitt and Darren Levitt, who brought North City to San Marcos, and Holland and Raintree. The new Carlsbadians, according to architect Mark Benjamin, are from New York, Colorado, Chicago, Germany, and the Bay Area. At least that’s the tenant mix between his two multi-family luxury lofts, the LEED gold-certified Railyard, and the new Townhouse. They’re attracted to the accessibility and proximity to both the train and the beach. “The big bonus here is connectivity,” says the Rancho Santa Fe-based architect. “It’s inevitable that Carlsbad will be the next Manhattan Beach.” Until then, the artful metal doors outside Townhouse, custom-made by Forms+Surfaces, will remain a prized local selfie spot. “We had a band doing an album cover out front one day,” says Benjamin. Consider it the new postcard. "Carlsbad surprised us with its urban village feel. The train is very much part of the city activity here." - Taal Safdie
68 FEBRUARY 2023
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