Reimagining Poinsettia Station as a Mixed-Use Coastal Destination
HED created a transformative design for the restoration of Poinsettia Station in Carlsbad, turning what was once a simple transit stop into an activated mixed-use destination that connects seamlessly with the surrounding south Carlsbad neighborhood. Located less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean, the development leverages its prime location by blending housing, retail, and public amenities into a cohesive community hub.
The design replaces underutilized surface parking with 186 mixed-income apartments and 2,700 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail. A new 341-stall parking structure accommodates transit riders, wrapped on three sides by apartments that orient toward existing residential areas to the south and east. This arrangement creates a more human-scaled edge while reinforcing connections to the surrounding neighborhood.
The project places equal emphasis on enhancing the transit experience and strengthening community connections. A new public plaza and retail frontage activate the station, creating an inviting environment for commuters and neighbors alike. Public walking paths weave through the site, encouraging movement between the station and adjacent retail, while generous landscape buffers soften edges and provide a welcoming transition to nearby homes.
Design elements reinforce a sense of identity and place. The parking structure is screened with metal fins and integrated artwork, elevating what could have been a purely utilitarian element into a distinctive feature of the site. Residents enjoy a range of amenities, including a rooftop resort-style pool with sweeping views of the ocean, landscaped courtyards, and a clubroom that supports both social and recreational activity.
By maximizing density, enhancing transit, and layering in public amenities, HED’s design repositions Poinsettia Station as a destination. The result is a mixed-use hub that embraces its neighborhood context, celebrates its coastal setting, and strengthens the connection between community and transit.
