Muse at Torrey Pines
On a hillside in the heart of La Jolla, a 6.2-acre site and its trio of dated '80s-era commercial buildings undergo a complete transformation into a life sciences campus.
客户
The RMR Group
位置
San Diego, California
市场/服务
Workplace, Commercial Office Buildings, Science & Technology, Research Parks & Innovation Districts
大小
164,000 GSF
Near the Pacific coastline and the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla has for years been known as a center of life sciences research and development in the region. The former owner sought to repurpose and modernize an existing property occupied by The Scripps Research Institute, with a new site plan and core-and-shell redevelopment to attract new life sciences tenants.
SmithGroup established the architectural design vision and aesthetic transformation of the existing outdated brick office buildings into a cohesive campus. The re-imagined buildings are well-suited for 21st-century research and form a strong and seamless connection with their enviable outdoor setting. The success of the MUSE was almost immediate, with the three buildings being fully leased soon after completion.
The re-imagined buildings are well-suited for 21st-century research and form a strong and seamless connection with their enviable outdoor setting.
The helix structure of DNA inspired the concept for the exterior facades. Curved glass curtain walls replace the stagnant brick façades and dark ribbon windows, with mullion extensions that articulate the glass in a wave pattern, evoking a sense of organic movement. Daylighting studies helped determine the location and depth of the fins, maximizing both solar shading and access to the region's spectacular views. The vertical ribs mimic the Torrey Bluffs along the nearby Pacific, while smooth glass at the entry vestibules provides subtle wayfinding.
Landscaped paths and warm lighting bring movement to the property, linking amenities such as a gourmet café with open-air patio, bike and surfboard storage, and a series of outdoor rooms tucked among the three buildings.
Even in a competitive market of Class A developments, MUSE at Torrey Pines has established itself as a desirable destination for the region's growing life sciences sector.
In February 2025, Breakthrough Properties purchased MUSE. EVP and Chief Investment Officer, Dan D'Orazi said in the press release, "With flexible design, expansive amenities and close proximity to major research institutions, MUSE is the ideal setting for a wide range of companies, from early-stage biotechs to established pharma."