When DeSimone Automotive Group came to us with their plans for a new mixed-use high-rise building that would not only be an apartment complex, but also a car dealership—we were intrigued.

The result? DeSimone Tower, a 21-story structure with a car dealership on the ground floor, three levels of parking, and eleven levels of housing. The modern high-rise also includes a café, fitness center, yoga studio, bicycle parking, site-specific public art installations, and a 1,866 square foot roof deck, giving residents gorgeous views of   the waterfront and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

The design of the building takes the form of a deconstructed rectangle wrapped in large glass windows, with both precast and metal panels to maximize usage and highlight the visual elements within. To give the dealership maximum visibility, we constructed a 6-story glass base to act as a display case for the cars inside and built balconies above the streets so additional vehicles could be seen by the public outside. The whole building was designed to achieve LEED Gold accreditation which included energy efficient mechanical systems and water reduction methods that enhanced and improved indoor air quality.

The apartments were designed to be spacious and efficient while taking advantage of the numerous bays and balconies that give the building its unique form. The rooftop lounge serves as an additional amenity space for tenants.

In the end, we were able to create a unique visual statement while maintaining a functional design.