More than a year ago, we were approached by Deaf Community Services of San Diego to help locate a new corporate headquarters for their organization. DCS had outgrown their current Hillcrest space, and needed a facility that would better serve San Diego’s deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

After one look at their existing space – a rundown building in Hillcrest – we were convinced that their objective was not only necessary but attainable as well. With only 8,000 square feet, the building they were housed in was dimly lit, parking was expensive and insufficient, and the space lacked proper emergency response systems. It inadequately served the needs of the organization, to say the least.

Working hand in hand with Executive Director Leslie Elion, we worked to locate, secure and negotiate a new 12,000 square foot space in a well-lit atrium style building at 1545 Hotel Circle South. The new space actually cost less than the former space, and the landlord provided a generous allowance to renovate the space for DCS.  The new space includes educational rooms, collaborative space, and sunny balconies; and is convenient to public transportation and offers ample free parking.

Working with Hughes Marino CM, Project Manager Steven Gorup led a time critical and budget-sensitive remodeling process, and we were able to successfully manage tenant improvements for the third floor suite, while operating on a shoestring budget.

After the project was complete, we were honored when Elion and her staff came to the Hughes Marino office to present us with a very unique gift. Gener de Vera, DCS’s Visual Designer and an extraordinarily talented artist, had created an original drawing featuring caricatures of the entire DCS team that participated in the project, which Leslie presented to Steven and I as a thank you, just a few weeks ago.

We were incredibly honored to receive this one-of-a-kind artwork, and will display it proudly in our office. Thank you, DCS, for reminding us why we do what we do.