The Marke is a new five-story, 300-unit luxury apartment complex in Santa Ana, Calif., geared to "millennial" professionals. Lifescapes International, the creative force behind such Las Vegas destinations as the Wynn Resort's Encore Beach Club, Tao Beach at the Venetian and Station Casino's Red Rock Resort, provided comprehensive landscape design for the project, including an innovative one-acre Las Vegas-style rooftop deck, and two community courtyards.

The Marke is a new five-story, 300-unit luxury apartment complex in Santa Ana, California, combining inviting, stylish outdoor areas and landscapes. Santa Ana (pop. 329,427), founded in 1869, is an Orange County neighbor of Anaheim located about 10 miles from the coast.

Lifescapes International provided comprehensive landscape design for the project, including an innovative one-acre Las Vegas-style rooftop deck, as well as two community courtyards.

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Among The Marke amenities is wi-fi in common areas, private cabanas, fire pits and even a "Puppy Spaw" for bathing and grooming dogs.

As the creative force behind many Las Vegas destinations, such as the Wynn Resort's Encore Beach Club, Tao Beach at the Venetian and Station Casino's Red Rock Resort, Lifescapes International drew upon its extensive Las Vegas design experience to deliver a luxurious landscape for The Marke residents. This community's modern design transcends the area's more traditional Spanish architectural influences by creating a vibrant, nightlife energy that incorporates sleek, upscale architecture that emphasizes recreational amenities and activities. The rooftop deck brings these Las Vegas-style amenities to life with fire pits, resort-style saltwater pool and spa, bar, outdoor theater, private cabanas and two clubhouses. The rooftop delivers a fun, entertaining environment, which is geared for millennial professionals. The residents are looking for more than a home and a place to sleep. They are seeking a community that provides a relaxed, entertaining and fun environment.

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Palms proliferate in the community courtyards on The Marke rooftop"?uMedjool date, sago, Queen and Kentia, plus bamboos, a mix of bromeliads and ground coverings of Bougainvillea, flax lilies, "Star Jasmine and creeping lilyturf. Belgard pavers circle the planter, which has a mix of mostly succulents: agave "Blue Flame'; sedum rupestre "Angelina'; Kalanchoe (tropical); "Blue Chalksticks' (Senecio serpens); false agave (Furcraea foetida "variegata'); and various bromeliads (Neoregelia species).

To deliver this young, hip, resort-style destination vibe, Lifescapes International's team devised a strategy to incorporate materials that would make residents feel they were on vacation at a resort. The Lifescapes design team created a lush and welcoming environment, transforming the rooftop deck with a combination of palms"?uMedjool date, sago, Queen and Kentia"?ubamboos, multi-trunked African tulip trees, "Joy Perfume' trees, a mix of bromiliads and ground coverings of Bougainvillea, flax lilies, "Blue Chalksticks', Star Jasmine and creeping lilyturf.

Lifescapes was also instrumental in the decision to divide the upper building down the middle, allowing for a long vista to the pool. This design decision creates a beautiful view of the surrounding city, while providing more gathering space for residents.

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The second community rooftop courtyard includes a koi pond designed by Lifescapes International, and built by the contractor, Tilden-Coil. The pond is a basalt tile-wrapped CMU basin with black river rock lining the bottom. A hardscape of precast concrete pavers surround the pond. Multi-trunked African tulip (yellow flowering trees) and "Joy Perfume' trees add variety to the landscape. Artificial turf was specified to conserve water and minimize maintenance, as well as keep a green appearance year round.

Community Courtyards
Integral to the design are The Marke's two community "courtyard parks." The courtyards include a koi pond, as well as picnic and entertainment areas. These added outdoor spaces give residents convenient and attractive places to interact with friends, family and fellow residents.

The Marke was developed on the premise that "not everything that happens in Vegas needs to stay in Vegas." Rather, the Lifescapes International team's comprehensive landscape design has created apartment living that youthful Orange County professionals should flock to, combining just the right amount of luxury, entertainment and Las Vegas flair.

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The Marke Team
Developer: Lyon Communities
Landscape Architecture: Lifescapes International,
Don Brinkerhoff, FASLA, Diego Alessi, Mike Meyers and Roger Voettiner
Architect: Christopher Coe Architects, in collaboration with Lifescapes International