After decades of eyeing a corner parking lot in the impoverished Tenderloin area of San Francisco, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp. finally secured the 22,000-square-foot site and plans to develop 130 homes for low-income families. Don Falk, Tenderloin executive director, says the group has coveted the property because low-income housing in San Francisco is only financially feasible on vacant land.
“The other thing that is so attractive is that it is on a corner, so it gives opportunities for light and air that will make for a good quality of life,” Falk says. “It opens up design possibilities that are difficult with mid-block projects.”
The property at Eddy and Taylor Streets will become the 13-story Eddy & Taylor Family Housing development with at least 20 percent reserved for homeless families when it opens by 2012. Falk is determined to anchor the $86 million project with a grocery store.
“The neighborhood has not had a grocery store for a long time,” Falk says. “There are lots of corner markets, but they tend to be more expensive and the quality is not the same.”
So far, grocers are declining Falk's advances, but he says he may even build the store on spec in order to bring a grocery store to the area.
Tenderloin also has faith in San Francisco-based architectural firm David Baker + Partners, which designed its last affordable housing project. Baker is known for a modern, posh style.
“I think what we do is bring a lot of affordable housing but also luxury hotels and high-end condos,” Baker says of his design style. “Our goal is to make them so you can't tell the difference.” square feet. Designed by architect Lucien Lagrange, the 20-story building, which has an Indiana limestone and brick façade, is to open by fall 2009.
- Miami: Leviev Boymelgreen Marquis Developers is building the second-tallest building in Miami with the 67-story Marquis. When it opens in spring 2009, Marquis will house 306 residences and a 56-key luxury boutique hotel operated by RockResorts. The hotel will feature a signature spa and fitness center as well as bars and restaurants. Condos will cost from $1 million to $15 million and will include smart technology such as a panel in the bedroom for residents to turn on music or call for room service.
- New York City: Extell Development Co. is honoring the legacy of luxurious living in prewar New York with the development of 535 West End Avenue and its 22 full- and half-floor residences. The project aims to reflect the age of white-glove service and majestic apartment house living with units ranging from 3,753 square feet to 13,825 largest condo/hotel project in the United States. It will span more than 60 acres when completed this fall and will offer 1,875 units and 270,000 square feet of retail space.
- San Diego: Wermers Corp. has begun work on Parkview Apartments, a 289-unit, four-story apartment complex on top of a two-story parking garage that is located on Aero Court. The garage's first level is now under construction. The project, owned by SHLP Parkview, will include a separate office building when finished in early 2010.
- Orlando, Fla.: Developers of the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa have finished construction on a six-story, 61,000-square-foot building, bringing the condominium and hotel resort one step closer to becoming the largest condo/hotel project in the United States. It will span more than 60 acres when completed this fall and will offer 1,875 units and 270,000 square feet of retail space.
- Washington, D.C.: JPI East, a division of JPI, is developing a 419-unit luxury multifamily community called Jefferson at Half Street. It will be the first multifamily rental community in the city to have LEED Silver certification for new construction. The project, set to open June 2010, will include a large outdoor pool and spa, a dog park, a rooftop outdoor movie theater, a clubroom with bar and billiards, and 12,000 square feet of retail space.
- Southeast, N.Y.: Wilder Balter Partners recently began construction on Barrett Hill, a new senior citizen condominium community that features 168 two-bedroom/two-bath units in six three-story buildings. Designed by L&M Design, the project will offer 9-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, crown molding, and state-of-the-art kitchens. Outside, Barrett Hill will provide residents with breathtaking views of Hudson River Valley. Residents will also enjoy a 7,500-square-foot clubhouse.
- Missouri City, Texas: Opus West Corp. recently broke ground on its fourth independent senior living community called The Reserve at Colonial Lakes. Opus, in a joint venture with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based RED Group and Seattle-based Leisure Care, is building a 222-unit project with a pool and spa, chapel, movie theater, and concierge and personal assistant services. Units will range in size from 776 square feet to 1,356 square feet.
- Dallas: Granite Properties, in conjunction with Gables Residential, has begun construction on the $200 million Granite and Gables mixed-use development on 2.145 acres in the center of Uptown. The project, due for completion March 2010, will consist of two towers—Granite's Class AA office tower and Gables' 292-unit high-rise residential apartments.
- Northridge, Calif.: Western National Group's 202-unit Meridian Place is set to be complete this month. The 2.35-acre gated community is within walking distance of California State University, Northridge. Residents will enjoy a clubhouse, outdoor fireplace, media center with gourmet kitchen, theater, business center, and resort-style pool and spa.
