Citrus Commons Recognized for Transformative Landscape Design

SHERMAN OAKS, CA. February 13, 2025

IMT Residential’s Citrus Commons in Sherman Oaks has been featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine, the monthly magazine of the American Society of Landscape Architects, recognizing the project’s transformation of a historic brutalist concrete landmark into a new urbane enclave for Los Angeles. The article takes the reader through a beautiful journey of the project’s development with a focus on the landscape strategy.

Citrus Commons reimagines the 8.5-acre site of the former Sunkist Headquarters, an iconic inverted brutalist pyramid designed by AC Martin in 1970, into a walkable mixed-use destination.  It notes IMT Residential’s preservation-first approach, which retained the historic structure while replacing expansive surface parking with gardens, paseos, and public gathering spaces.

Developed in collaboration with Johnson Fain Architects and landscape architect Duane Border, ASLA, the project introduces two mixed-use residential buildings with 249 apartment homes and ground-floor retail, while dedicating nearly half of the site to landscaped open space. Native gardens, curved walkways, and shaded terraces connect surrounding streets, retail, and the Los Angeles River corridor.

“We’re honored to see Citrus Commons recognized on the cover of Landscape Architecture Magazine,” said Joseph Elhabr, Vice President at IMT Residential. “This project reflects our commitment to sustainable development while creating vibrant, walkable communities shaped by thoughtful, landscape-driven design.”

The publication positioned Citrus Commons as a case study in how aging corporate campuses can evolve into sustainable, people-focused neighborhoods, demonstrating the impact of landscape-led design in adaptive reuse projects.

About IMT Residential

IMT Residential is a Los Angeles–based privately held full-service operator of multi-family residential communities. The company currently manages over 18,000 residential units in 55+ communities across nine U.S. states. Founded in 1992, IMT Residential has been recognized on the lists of Top 50 multifamily firms nationally by the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC) and Multi-Family Executive Magazine and is also recognized by the United States Green Building Council for their LEED for Homes construction projects. Additional information on IMT Residential can be found at imtResidential.com.