The Conrad
Architect: Epsiten Joslin
Builder: DPR
Developer: La Jolla Music Society
Sign Designer: Altitude
Located within the heart of the Village of La Jolla, CA, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center for La Jolla Music Society is designed as a world-class destination for staging its renowned Summerfest events; supporting the continued growth of the Society’s high-level music, dance, film and opera performances; expanding the opportunities for educational programing; and enhancing the identity of the La Jolla cultural community.
The $50M facility boasts a 500-seat state-of-the-art concert hall with variable acoustics, stage configurations, and media projection capabilities. Across the courtyard a 150-seat flexible use performance, education and/or social space offers a youthful and energetic alternative. And the outdoor garden plaza, protected from the street by a terra cotta veil, not only serves both as a mixing lobby, but also offers a lively social/performance space all its own.
Growing out of an in-depth community planning process, the facility is shaped as an intimate composition of smaller structures and open spaces that maintain the traditional building scale of the Village, borrowing in form and material from the spirit of beloved architectural gems of the La Jolla and the broader San Diego area, that speak to the unique culture and climate of the region, yet wholly contemporary in nature.
Branding and signage design responsibilities fell onto the incredible team at Altitude in Santa Monica CA. They worked tirelessly to provide a world-class interior and exterior signage package that included intricate LED lettering, rich donor tributes and tasteful wayfinding signage for the sea of supporters that funnel through during the summer night events.
Clear Sign was brought in though the construction consultants to bring Altitudes vision to life. Build to spec projects like this always bring us a wealth of perspective as we create the vision of some of the counties best design only firms and challenge our team in a variety of ways.
This project was different in that aspect. This projects application of small intricate letters that were placed in difficult areas of the property posed several wiring issues and attachment concerns. At the end of the day, Clear Sign worked closely with the entire construction and design team to deliver on time and on budget.
The award list for this build is still growing and rightfully so.
“Recently, a very important client of mine was in need of some new signage on their high-profile, high-rise building in Irvine. This sign would be seen from the freeway, commercial planes, and surrounding retail. The responsibility for this sign was delegated to me and it was critical that this sign be seen, day and night!
Thankfully, I had worked with Clear Signs previously and was confident of the quality and professionalism I could expect. Immediately upon installation, I received calls from both the President and the CFO thanking me. Gabe made me look like a hero and will always come highly recommended by me to anyone needing professional signage.”
Steve Lane
Sr. VP/Partner
Voit Real Estate
“From the very beginning Gabe and the team at Clear Signs exhibited a high level of professionalism. The process from bid to installation was flawless. Not only this, but they have completed projects on both of our high rise locations in San Diego and Irvine as well as our boutique shops in Northern California. Their craftsmanship from from Southern California to Northern is amazing! I’d recommend Clear signs for all your signage needs.”
Scharrell Jackson
COO/CFO
Squar Milner
“Urban Housing takes tremendous pride in the quality of our work, and the service we provide to our clients. Selecting sign vendors is no different, which is why Clear Sign has earned a spot on the preferred list after a flawless execution for a key client of ours.”
Lenette Hewitt
VP of Marketing
Urban Partners
“My company has always ascribed to the highest standards in customer service so it’s easy for me to recognize. No matter what size the project, Gabe and the rest of the team at Clear Sign & Design have always given me the support I needed in a timely manner.”
Stacy Lombardo
Sr. VP of Operations
Torrey Pines Bank
“We have had a great working relationship with Clear Sign for over 10 years and are very pleased with their dedication to creating beautiful signs for Valley View Casino & Hotel. Clear Sign has always treated us fairly and their team is not only efficient but professional. We look forward to a continued partnership and hope to work together for many years to come.”
Joe Navarro
President - CEO
Valley View Casino & Hotel
“We were in a desperate place, 4 days before final inspection/occupancy, and our client's vendor could not deliver any of the code required signage in time. With one call – Clear Sign manufactured and installed nearly 600 code signs with time to spare. This hail mary saved the day and set the new standard for what a preferred vendor can do.”
Joe Bigglione
Sr. Project Manager
CW Driver Builders
“From Florida to San Diego and everywhere in between
Clear Sign has been with us every step of the way handling all of our signage needs no matter where the next race track is located. Nine years and 18 locations later, Steve remains my “sign guy” of choice.”
David Danglard
President - CEO
K1 Speed Indoor Karting
“Its not that I felt Clear Sign couldn’t do the work… but initially I felt more comfortable choosing a vendor that was local to the project which Clear Sign was not. Ironically, my “local” vendor ended up dropping the ball, and Clear Sign picked it up and literally scored a touchdown with their products despite the super tight timeline and custom design requirements. Steve and his team have earned their spot in my list of approved vendors.”
Noah Rosenblatt
Sr. Creative Director
CON-AM Management
“Being a construction manager and choosing a sign vendor from a bid list can be difficult, because having the lowest price rarely nets the desired results. Having worked with Steve and the team over at Clear Sign on a few high profile projects and seeing the benefits first-hand made me a believer. They are now one of my few preferred signage vendors.”
Roger Kazemier
Field Operations Manager
Swinerton Builders
“From day one - Clear Sign understood our philosophy on quality and design, and it showed in the professional execution of our new interior and exterior sign package, replacing the tired looking 10+ year-old original product. This alignment priorities benefitted the entire project, and increased foot traffic didn't hurt either!”
Ryan Krasner
General Manager
Harold Stevens Jewelers
“It was only a short time after being introduced as our builders preferred vendor did I start to realize that Clear Signs capabilities were perfectly suited for my project. The fact that they were able to do the work of what has typically been 3-4 different contractors on a project this size provided an enormous advantage. From interior to exterior… a 4000sqft SS wall mural and LED building lighting Clear Sign had the experience to make my project a success”
Steve Donlon
Director of Construction
Ariel Suites LLC
“As the proud director of one of San Diego’s oldest Theaters It was important for us to maintain our historic animated neon sign. 18 months and tens of thousands of dollars later it was clear our current vendor was in over his head – In the end… it was the talented team at Clear Sign that finally finished the job that others could not, and brought life back to our beloved sign”
David Schulz
Artistic Director
Star Theater of Oceanside
“It can often times be difficult to find subs that act in the best interest of the project on a consistent basis. Gabe and the team at Clear Sign were a Clear exception on our last downtown project. From roaming deadlines, shifting scope and non-ideal site conditions the team at Clear Sign made easy work of a complicated project and did their part to help us see it across the finish line.”
Zach Adams
Sr. Project Manager
OliverMcMilan
“I don’t know if am more surprised at how difficult the sign criteria committee was or that William and the team at Clear Sign stuck with my project for over 16 months in order to get it approved and completed, either way I am pleased at the end result and patience observed .”
Song Gao
Supervisor
Carlsbad Tech
