Atrio, Westhome
Major Rehab Community Community of the Year Finalist

Atrio is a 276-unit apartment community that serves as a veritable oasis for residents, featuring lush gardens and mature palm trees that wind through the community. Located in the heart of sunny Burbank, home to famed film studios like Walt Disney, Warner Bros. and their new Second Century Studio, the location allows residents to experience the personality and culture of nearby Downtown LA, or visit local destinations like Burbank Empire Center, Town Center and the Burbank Airport.

The renovation focused on improving the underlying architecture while maintaining its charm, connecting open green spaces, reprogramming the amenity offerings and delivering a unique yet timeless design aesthetic.

The property refresh features carefully curated amenities, including a state-of-the-art screening room that offers premier technology for the discerning entertainment studio demographic and allows residents to kick back in a comfy chair or beanbag, watch something on the big screen or host a private screening event for family and friends. These highly targeted amenities were extremely successful in helping the community reach its target demographic. Post-renovation, 46% of tenants are in the arts and entertainment industry, a 10% increase.

The perfect balance of comfort and class, the refreshed amenities turn communal spaces into an extension of home and place to engage with the Atrio community. A new exterior paint scheme of green, white and grey is inspired by the updated landscaping – which features lush gardens and mature palm trees that wind through the community. Additional improvements include new fixtures and décor, bike racks, and updated hallway lighting and flooring.

A game yard and bocce ball court, al fresco dining and BBQ grilling stations, and an outdoor fire pit lounge provide additional places for residents to connect. The entire community is equipped with turnkey WiFi, and the new library/coworking lounge and community shared workspace both cater to residents that work from home or in a hybrid environment.

A new exterior paint scheme of green, white and grey is inspired by the updated landscaping – which features lush gardens and mature palm trees that wind through the community. Additional improvements include new fixtures and décor, bike racks, and updated hallway lighting and flooring.

The newly renovated property features thoughtfully designed interior spaces with unique, timeless finishes that stand out. The updated units include large open floor plans that offer stainless steel appliances, smart home thermostats, USB charging outlets, Calcutta Quartz countertops with a cascading waterfall edge, brushed gold and matte black accessories in the kitchen and bathroom, central AC and heat, gas fireplaces, large walk-in closets, luxury faux wood plank flooring, soft-close dual-tone maple wood cabinetry and in-unit wash and dryers.

Despite being the hub of entertainment studios like Walt Disney and Warner Bros., Burbank lacks new Class A multifamily offerings and for years lost residents to many of its neighboring communities in Glendale, Pasadena and Hollywood – which had offerings that were more appealing to those in the arts and entertainment industry.

Cityview took the opportunity to transform Burbank’s Empire Landing, which was built in 2012, into Atrio through a combination of interior and exterior renovations that launched the asset to the forefront of design and technology while catering to the demographic of the surrounding entertainment studios.

Cityview and its property management affiliate – Westhome - studied the previous brand and found the nostalgic aviation theme did not resonate with the target demographic, craftsman architecture or new product offering. Cityview developed a new brand identity that catered to the target renter and fit the new personality and character of the property, which is carried through the signage, materials and online identity of Atrio. Atrio is derived from the word Atrium, which is an open space or space open to the sky, and the property’s airy patios, porches, promenades, gardens and landscaping were key to the new optimistic and natural design aesthetic and brand.

Cityview navigated several significant supply chain material delays on the project by working closely with and keeping a direct line of communication open with its preferred, longstanding supply partners. This allowed the firm to quickly pivot and identify comparable alternatives when delays occurred, which kept the renovation on schedule while maintaining the high design quality.

The increasing cost of materials was another challenge that Cityview successfully navigated through mix of thoughtful underwriting, a careful selection of sustainable and durable materials and a competitive bidding process that kept the project on budget.

Cityview’s vertically integrated business model enabled the firm to serve as the general contractor for a portion of the project, which resulted in an estimated cost savings of $275,000.

Residents responded extremely well to the community’s many improvements and refreshed brand. According to an online review from Ally J., “The grounds are beautiful and the newly renovated units are fantastic.”
Atrio boasts an 85% retention rate, and the community achieved a 22% higher ROI than pre-renovation rent by creating higher valued offerings for residents. The renovated community was also able to improve staff efficiency while maintaining high leasing value.Residents responded extremely well to the community’s many improvements and refreshed brand. According to an online review from Ally J., “The grounds are beautiful and the newly renovated units are fantastic.”
Atrio boasts an 85% retention rate, and the community achieved a 22% higher ROI than pre-renovation rent by creating higher valued offerings for residents. The renovated community was also able to improve staff efficiency while maintaining high leasing value.