Dolphin Marina

Multi-family
Goldrich & Kest
Marina Del Rey, California

A coastal-inspired makeover of a Marina Del Rey mid-century modern icon.

Project details

Name	Dolphin Marina
Developer	Goldrich & Kest
Architect	Abramson Architects
Landscape architect	SALT
Location	Marina Del Rey, California
Photographer	Josh Bustos + Emilio Rothfuchs
Year completed	2024

Project success and recognition

Dolphin Marina has been one of Los Angeles’s premier waterfront apartment communities since it opened alongside the Marina Del Rey harbor in the late 1960s. Previously renovated in the 1990s, it was high time to bring the property’s communal spaces and outdoor living areas into the modern era. Goldrich & Kest turned to CDC to lead a complete refresh of the lobby, reimagine amenity areas, and breathe new life into outdoor spaces—all while respecting the building’s midcentury modern roots.

Our approach focused on creating an elevated, airy aesthetic for the interior and exterior amenity areas inspired by Dolphin Marina’s waterfront location. We worked closely with Abramson Architects and SALT landscape designers, leading the team to create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, strengthening the connection between them with a single design language and a comfortable, community-minded approach to programming. The result? A soft and sophisticated look that appealed to current residents, captured the attention of younger professionals, and encouraged renters displaced by the Palisades Fire to become longer-term tenants.

Through beautiful design and intentional programming, CDC breathed fresh new life into Dolphin Marina’s interior and exterior community spaces and amenities.

California cool

The reinvention of Dolphin Marina’s lobby focused on opening up what was previously a segmented, closed-off space. We reworked the floor plan to improve sightlines and create a more welcoming flow from the front entryway and leasing concierge to the coworking space through to the exterior courtyard. Beachy blond woods, natural coastal hues, and clean lines direct natural light through the space, giving it a bright, airy, and loft-like feel. That same aesthetic was applied to the completely reimagined fitness center, where we repurposed the previously underutilized amenity to create a multi-level facility on par with Los Angeles’s boutique luxury gym scene.

Outside, we took an organic, nature-rooted approach and treated every exterior area as a usable vignette for residents to lounge, play, and socialize. The existing footprint of the courtyard overlooking the marina was completely overhauled to center waterfront views and serve as an anchor for community life. Sleek outdoor furniture was chosen to complement the existing midcentury architecture, while layered coastal textures, accent pieces, and activation areas were used to evoke a resort-like atmosphere that invites everyone who visits to get comfortable and stay awhile.

Designed for impact

Success & recognition

New luxury positioning allowed Dolphin Marina to increase pricing for new residents by 80%
Overwhelming positive feedback from current and prospective tenants
Increased tenant engagement with community programming and decreased lease turnover

An elevated aesthetic brings Dolphin Marina’s model unit into the 21st century, while still honoring the building’s midcentury identity through furnishings and accessories.

Using an organic design approach inspired by Dolphin Marina’s coastal setting, every interior and exterior area was transformed into usable amenity space layered for daily activation, gathering, and comfort.

Dolphin Marina