Inside OCVIBE: Stories Behind the Structures
At most places, the look of parking garages are an afterthought — gray, utilitarian, and meant to blend in. At OCVIBE, they’re the opening act.
The choice to prioritize opening Katella Garage and Cerritos Garage first was intentional. Honda Center guests have long needed additional parking. These two new garages, among four planned, offer a solution while showcasing OCVIBE’s creative spirit.
“The garages are not just an infrastructural piece. It is the first place that people are coming into,” says Julie-Smith Clementi, Partner at Smith-Clementi and OCVIBE Master Architect. “These garages set up the character of your experience at OCVIBE.”
The Katella Garage and Cerritos Garage are wrapped in vibrant hues that do more than turn heads. The colors correspond to OCVIBE’s neighborhoods, doubling as both wayfinding tools and symbols:
At the north end of the garages, a vibrant green hue was chosen to evoke the feeling of being immersed in a forest — a theme that will extend into the future residential area, where lush parks will bring that vision to life. The yellow wrapping the Cerritos Garage ramps offers a warm, welcoming vibe while serving as a clear visual guide to OCVIBE’s central security hub. And perhaps the boldest choice, a striking red, marks OCVIBE’s symbolic front door — inviting guests in with a sense of intrigue and hospitality.
Together, they create a vivid first impression that begins telling OCVIBE’s story before visitors even step inside.
These garages reemphasize the guest experience starts at arrival, not once you’re inside a venue or one of 30+ dining options coming to the 100-acre district. Strategically positioned, the garages make the district highly walkable and offer seamless access to the Honda Center, while their design turns the garages into a bold statement that hints at the richness that lies beyond.
"One of the things about arriving at a sports or concert event is the way you start to feel affinity for your fellow fans and if you’re all approaching from different entrances, it’s hard to see that critical mass developing,” says Frank Clementi, Partner at Smith-Clementi and OCVIBE Master Architect. “People feed in from each of the floors and start promenading in the same direction. We were conscious about the aggregation of people and the opportunities they have at different points throughout the district.”
The garages are more than parking—they’re a gateway. Beyond Honda Center, they will lead to immersive dining, expanded concerts, and unforgettable experiences, all designed with intention. Practical yet vibrant, they embody the spirit of a district that inspires from the first moment.
