Landscape Architect: Robert Goto & Associates

Development within a Master-Planned Community

The 336-unit Arcadia at Stonecrest Village was designed to provide a rental alternative in a low-density master-planned new home community. The Arcadia community incorporates craftsman-style architecture and lushly landscaped common areas similar to its lower density, for-sale neighbors. Also, more common to for-sale product, nearly 80% of Arcadia's apartments have attached private garage parking, many with direct access. The Arcadia product is targeted at young professionals working in Mission Valley. Rental rates and value are very important considerations for this resident profile. Consequently, a high ratio (45%) of this property's unit mix is in junior and one-bedroom configurations (some have lofts or dens) that have lower price points. The project also features split master two-bedroom units targeted at roommate situations and three-bedroom townhomes for young families. Arcadia's amenity program features a junior Olympic-size lap pool surrounded by a large sun deck with a spa, and a clubhouse with a lounge, conference/business center, and fitness facility. Each unit has such upscale appointments as full-size washers and dryers, gas ranges, 9-foot ceilings, crown molding, and decks or porches.

Project Architect: KTGY Group

Unlike the higher-density in-fill communities developed in the past decade by the principals of Thompson|Dorfman, Arcadia's lower density and more suburban location presented its own unique challenges. Foremost among them was developing luxury apartments that incorporated the quality architecture mandated by the master-planned community while providing compelling project economics with an untested product type and moderate rent levels. The design had to provide two features related to personal security that were strongly desired by the target market; individual garage parking and gated pedestrian and vehicular access. These two features can have adverse financial impacts as they reduce site efficiency and increase construction costs. By working closely with its design team and builder, the principals of Thompson|Dorfman refined a multi-family prototype that appealed to the Architectural Review Committee, neighboring for-sale developers, and residents alike. In addition, the design maximized site density and proved economical to build, allowing this development to exceed all financial and performance objectives. Arcadia reached stabilized occupancy less than 4 months after construction completion at rental rates 15% higher than initially projected.