8500 Melrose was originally built as a mini-mall in the mid-eighties, employing a postmodern, almost brutalist style. The result was a heavy granite facade that no longer had a place in today’s architectural era that values sweeping glass visuals, transparency, and daylighting. The retrofit therefore entailed a substantial reconstruction of the exterior skin.

Los Angeles–based Tighe Architecture effectively merged two distinct architectural treatments to create a bold and dynamic identity. What begins as a granite envelope is seamlessly pulled back to reveal an all-glass aesthetic that is both striking and inviting.

CRL manufactured and supplied the architectural glazing systems needed to realize this key visual statement. The company’s Spider Fittings were utilized to engineer the expansive glass wall. DRS Door Rails form the glass entrances that serve to complement the surrounding motif. Finally, CRL’s ICC-ES approved GRS Glass Railing System is featured prominently on the second-floor terrace, enhancing sightlines while ensuring occupant safety.