The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Building, designed by COAR Design Group, marks a significant upgrade for the West Coast's largest Junior Lifeguard program. Located within the ‘A’ Street parking area, the new 5,500-square-foot facility replaces a temporary modular structure that had served the program for over two decades. The state-of-the-art building features 370 square feet of covered deck and 1,350 square feet of open deck space, offering administrative offices, event areas, expanded storage, secure restrooms, and staff locker rooms. Its exterior combines concrete, acrylic panels, and tile finishes to create a dynamic, beach-inspired design that minimizes the perceived building mass while blending harmoniously with its coastal surroundings. The facility will house and support the program’s 1,600 annual participants, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

The project also includes comprehensive site modifications to the existing main and ‘A’ Street parking lots. These updates enhance circulation and parking efficiency, offsetting the parking spaces displaced by the new building. In fact, COAR’s innovative design approach added three spaces to the overall parking count, addressing the high demand at this popular beach location. Additionally, COAR played a pivotal role in securing approvals, navigating the project through the entitlement process, CEQA compliance, and obtaining a Coastal Development Permit. With its Type-VB construction and A-3, S-2 occupancy classification, the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Building exemplifies thoughtful planning, design, and execution, reinforcing the City of Newport Beach's commitment to community and coastal stewardship.