VEER is among the smaller developments produced by CRC Cos., known for its expertise in designing, planning, engineering, and constructing multifamily projects. The low-rise walk-up contains just 10, two-story rental homes in a structure that’s three stories on its beach side and three and a half on the street elevation.
Located in San Diego’s Ocean Beach community, VEER sits just steps from the Pacific Ocean, next to a park, and within walking distance of popular Newport Avenue’s amenities, including a pier. The project is also seven miles northwest of downtown San Diego. On top of all that, the development made good use of its premier site by replacing a run-down, flooded apartment building.
To let the waterfront views dominate, architect Claude Anthony Marengo, of Marengo Morton Architects in nearby La Jolla, pushed the building into the ground to reduce its scale and repressed a motor court on the street side to remove cars from view.
To create a sleek, modern, hip look, the team designed the façade with a mix of stucco, glass, and wood slats. The “marquee face,” with terraces, faces the best view—the ocean at the rear—rather than the streetside front, says director Bryan Lamb.
VEER’s units are packed with goodies to appeal to renters seeking luxury oceanfront living. In fact, the name came from the idea to “veer” renters away from more-traditional nearby product.
Each unit features multifold windows that provide up to 17 feet of unobstructed views from 9-foot-high ceilings and open like doors to oversized terraces. The stepped-back design of the terraces allows all the units to have equally good views while helping preserve privacy and provide shade.
The materials and systems inside the open-plan units reflect the developer’s interest in providing condo-quality finishes and green products, including spacious quartz countertops, tankless water heaters, and designer lighting that adheres to California’s Title 24 energy efficiency requirements.
Outside, where the amenities include shared grilling stations and fire pits, brick pavers help reduce stormwater runoff.
