Â
1. ELEGANT LANDSCAPING MARKS CONTEMPORARY lifestyle IN DOWNTOWN Los angeles
The name Sofia may bring to mind the capital of Bulgaria, but the Sofia Los Angeles is much closer to home. Located close to the Staples Center, the two-building, six-story property has 600 market-rate one- and two-bedroom apartments designed by Togawa Smith Martin Architects. Roof deck plantings were designed by landscape architect TGP, Inc. Seating niches enclose 600 lightweight planters of multi-trunk king palms and fire pit lounges and barbecue grills. Also on the team for developer Holland Partners: Englekirk (SE), Hall & Foreman (CE), LDI Mechanical (ME), John R. Hanzlik & Associates (electrical engineer), and Holland Construction (GC).
Â
2. HISTORIC OFFICE TOWER TURNED INTO MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL enterprise
In downtown Dallas, the six-story Mayflower office buildingâlisted on the National Register of Historic Placesâhas been converted into 215 apartments and 14,000 sf of ground-floor retail. Merriman Anderson Architects (designer), Aguirre Roden (MEP), and Andres Construction (GC/prime contractor) completed the $56 million complex (now known as 411 Akard) for HRI Properties, New Orleans, La. The city provided $10 million in tax increment financing and a $1 million grant for supplying workforce housing.
Â
3. CHICAGO SUBURB HOSTS new transit-oriented RENTAL COMMUNITY
Architects at Schwarz Lewis Design Group teamed up with McHugh Construction on the 75-unit Residences of Wilmette, a transit-oriented rental community a block from a Metra commuter line to downtown Chicago. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 650 to 1,550 sf feature Bosch appliances and Grohe plumbing fixtures. The property has 6,200 sf of retail space, a Luxor One package-delivery system, and a steam room with chromotherapy (color therapy). M&R Development joint ventured with Globe Corporation on the enterprise. RMK Management Corp. is the property manager.
Â
4. HOUSTON GETS ITS FIRST MICRO-UNIT residences
The first micro-units to hit the Houston market are currently being occupied at Surge Homesâ Parc at Midtown. The 450-sf microsâone-bedroom, one-bath condominiumsâare in addition to two-bedroom, two-bath flats, penthouses, two-story âSky Townhomesâ (a Surge brand), and three-story townhomes. Cisneros Design Studio was the architect. Sarah Ciesla was the interior designer. Parc at Midtown was a finalist in the NAHB Best Condominium Community category.
Â
5. HIGH CEILINGS OPEN UP SPACE IN TENNESSEE APARTMENT venue
Emblem is a new 361-unit luxury property in Franklin, Tenn., 20 miles south of Nashville. Architecture firm Meeks + Partners designed one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 617 sf to 1,209 with open-floor plans and 11-foot ceilings. The four-story complex has a fitness center, resort-style pool, outdoor grilling stations and fire pits, internet café, coffee bar, and a culinary kitchen in the social lounge.
Â
6. SARASOTA MIXED-USE property HAS ROOMS FOR OVERNIGHT GUESTS
Sarasota, Fla., is the site of the DeSota, a 180-unit residential center with 15,000 sf of retail, developed by Hunt Companies, Inc., and advisory firm Carter. The 10-story tower, designed by Hoyt Architects and constructed by Core Construction, provides one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats, a lap pool, dog walk space, bike repair, storage room for kayaks, outlets for electric cars, and valet dry cleaning. Residents can rent a hospitality unit for overnight guests.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jul 7, 2016
Courtyards make Brooklynâs Bushwick II residential development its own miniature city
Bushwick II will feature light-filled plaza spaces, a roof for urban living, and more than 800 apartment units.
Market Data | Jul 7, 2016
Airbnb alleged to worsen housing crunch in New York City
Allegedly removing thousands of housing units from market, driving up rents.
Market Data | Jul 6, 2016
A thriving economy and influx of businesses spur construction in downtown Seattle
Development investment is twice what it was five years ago.Â
Multifamily Housing | Jul 5, 2016
Apartments continue to shrink, rents continue to rise
Latest survey by RENTCafĂ© tracks size changes in 95 metros.Â
High-rise Construction | Jun 29, 2016
Best Tall Buildings around the world favor unusual shapes and hybrid functions
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat selects winners in four regions.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 22, 2016
Can multifamily construction keep up with projected demand?
The Joint Center for Housing Studiesâ latest disection of Americaâs housing market finds moderate- and low-priced rentals in short supply.
Urban Planning | Jun 15, 2016
Swedish âTimber Townâ proposal from C.F. MĂžller provides a unique blend of nature and city
The development acts as a transition area between a traditional urban landscape and parklands.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 14, 2016
San Francisco voters approve tougher affordability requirement on new housing development
Critics charge that the measure may backfire and actually reduce new affordable units. Â
Building Team Awards | Jun 1, 2016
Multifamily tower and office building revitalize Philadelphia cathedral
The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral capitalizes on hot property to help fund much needed upgrades and programs.
Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2016
Architect Jean Nouvel designs flood-resilient Monad Terrace in Miami Beach
A man-made lagoon with lush vegetation at the base of the complex is expected to adapt to climate change and rising sea levels.