Jonathan Farasat’s Post

Much smaller units, little to no amenities or parking, and more concrete = More affordable housing? "Jonathan Segal has some ideas for ending the housing crisis in one corner of California. The lauded FAIA architect is a do-it-all developer, investor, owner, general contractor, and property manager. One recent project showcases how defying conventional wisdom can help ease affordability constraints in housing markets such as San Diego. Segal’s self-described “demonstration project” is called The Continental, an eight-story, 27,000-square-foot community of 42 studio apartments, which average 380 square feet, plus glass-walled balconies or patios. Why demonstration? Because there was nothing like it in San Diego. The property is a test of amenities … or lack of them. Parking? Barely, just a couple spots. Dog park? No. Community room? No. Pool? No. Fitness center? No. Staffed front desk? No. The Continental travels light. Segal has little interest in the “can you top this?” amenity wars." https://lnkd.in/gtBUxQEd

A Toronto firm behind one of downtown Ottawa’s biggest mixed-use developments says it hopes to break ground next year on another project that could see thousands of housing units built in Kanata North, reported Ottawa Business Journal. "main + main Developments wants to transform a 13.6-acre site at the corner of March Road and Terry Fox Drive into a cluster of mid- and highrise buildings that would include more than 2,000 residential suites. The firm’s current application to subdivide the properties at 555, 591, 595 and 603 March Rd. calls for a series of buildings ranging from six to 30 storeys, including buildings of 24, 25, 26 and 30 storeys that would feature a mix of residential units and ground-floor commercial space." https://lnkd.in/dVQUR7Gj #ottawa #development #mixeduse

These visionary projects are not just about apartments; they signify a renaissance in the community, ushering in a new era of residential and mixed-use spaces that promise to redefine the neighborhood by 2025. The strategic locations of these projects along West 11th near Ella, with a total of 664 apartments, offer a unique opportunity for residents to experience innovative and dynamic living spaces. McNair Interests' project, in particular, showcases intentional design, blending seclusion with centrality, creating a community with outward-facing gardens—an attractive feature for those seeking a balanced and connected living environment. The Lenox Timbergrove project by OHT Partners adds another layer to the transformation, repurposing a site formerly occupied by light industrial warehouses into a remarkable residential space. With completion expected by the close of 2025, it aligns perfectly with the ongoing renaissance in the area, promising improved nearby dining and shopping opportunities. While specific rent details are pending, the reported average Class A apartment rent of $1,547 in the vicinity adds further appeal. For prospective buyers or investors looking to capitalize on this transformative momentum, this is an opportune moment to explore real estate opportunities in Timbergrove. If you have any inquiries or wish to discuss the potential this evolving neighborhood holds, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your partnership in shaping the future of Timbergrove is not only welcomed but also valued.

In their quest to build more housing and bring down costs, YIMBYs have identified one overlooked hang-up: stairs. Yes, the humble stairwell is an unlikely but powerful foe. More specifically, they're taking aim at a widespread rule that requires almost every new apartment building in the US to include at least two separate stairwells. This part of local codes, they say, is an outdated safety measure that really just makes apartment units smaller, more expensive, and darker (yes, darker). Only a few US cities, most notably Seattle and New York City, allow single-stair buildings to stretch up to six stories — pretty much everywhere else in America caps it at three. But the single-stair movement is gathering steam, and it could change how entire cities look and feel. Every new apartment building needs stairs, sure. But maybe we could do with a lot fewer of them. Here's my story for Business Insider: https://lnkd.in/dkjsjvig #pointaccessblock #singlestair #realestate #housing

Timbergrove's Transformation: Two Dynamic Projects Introduce Over 600 Apartments. Two distinct projects, totaling 664 apartments, are set to redefine the community by 2025. One project, located at 3001 W 11th, is part of McNair Interests' visionary 46-acre mixed-use development, featuring a 371-unit residential community with an innovative living experience, repurposing historic 1920s-era factories. The first phase is expected to open in the second quarter of 2025, with full completion in early 2026. Drew Steffen, Senior Vice President of McNair's real estate development and investment team, emphasizes the intentional design philosophy, creating a community with outward-facing gardens amidst living spaces. Simultaneously, OHT Partners is transforming 2825 W. 11th into a remarkable residential space with 293 apartments, known as the Lenox Timbergrove project, scheduled for completion by the close of 2025. Jackson Simons, Vice President of Development for OHT Partners, expresses excitement about the ongoing renaissance in the area and the prospect of bringing needed housing options to residents. While specific rent details are not immediately available, the average Class A apartment rent in the vicinity is reported to be $1,547, according to MRI Software. To read more: https://lnkd.in/gv387gDJ Credit to Houston Chronicle.

“…seeking approval to add 65 apartments to the existing 16-story tower, which replaced a surface parking lot not far east of San Vicente Boulevard and Beverly Hills city limits. The tower, branded as Central Beverly Hills, currently features 112 residential units, and would contain 177 apartments at completion. Rents for the building start at more than $3,500 per month… …Per project findings, the new density would be achieved by reconfiguring larger units with multiple bedrooms into smaller units, resulting in a total of 16 studios, 78 one-bedroom units, 67 two-bedroom units, and 16 three-bedroom units at completion. Existing parking for 252 vehicles and more than 5,100 square feet of ground-floor retail space would be retained” #realestate #realestatedevelopment #mixedusedevelopment #adaptivereuse #multifamily https://lnkd.in/g6XJkBFU

CLIENT NEWS: The proposal, from Miami Beach-based Redwood Dev Co, includes eight buildings designed by Kobi Karp rising from 11 acres adjacent to the park. The project would include 121K SF of retail space and 4,114 parking spaces. Commissioners are considering the proposal Tuesday night after awarding Redwood a land lease at the property as part of a 2022 request for proposals. The plan is for 18-story towers to rise from the western portion of the park at 1525 NW 135th St. The developer would also spend around $14M to renovate existing sports fields and the Joe Celestin Center community facility, according to a letter of intent submitted to the commission by Mickey Marrero, an attorney at Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin & Tapanes who is representing the developer. Three of the eight buildings, totaling 918 units, would be dedicated for senior living, according to the letter of intent. The remaining buildings would include market-rate and workforce housing. READ MORE: https://rb.gy/8v0qqc

The residential development boom in a Brooklyn neighborhood is winding down with the opening of One Domino Square, a 39-story condominium tower near the Williamsburg Bridge. This marks one of the final pieces in the transformation of Williamsburg's waterfront, an area that underwent significant changes following a 2005 rezoning. One Domino Square is part of an 11-acre complex developed around the historic Domino Sugar refinery, now an office space.The tower's debut signifies a significant moment for Williamsburg, an area that has not seen new waterfront condos for 15 years. This comes after a development surge post-2005, leading to nearly 70% of the neighborhood's condo units being constructed after this year. The population in Williamsburg has also grown wealthier, influenced initially by artists moving in during the 1990s.One Domino Square offers luxurious condos and an adjacent rental building, emphasizing exclusivity and high-end living, with prices reflecting the upscale positioning—units range from $1.25 million to over $3 million. Despite the distance from public transit, the development offers unique amenities and design elements, like tilt-and-turn windows and finished closets, aiming to provide superior residential experiences.The architectural design by Selldorf Architects adds a distinctive touch to the skyline, with the rental tower becoming Brooklyn's tallest outside the downtown area. Both towers offer panoramic views and access to Domino Park's amenities. The condos are expected to attract a diverse group of buyers, from locals to international investors, underscoring Williamsburg's global appeal as a residential destination. #BrooklynDevelopment #OneDominoSquare #WilliamsburgWaterfront #LuxuryCondos #BrooklynRealEstate #UrbanTransformation #NewYorkLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #SelldorfArchitects #DominoPark

The 26th post in my "32 days of Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia" project. Case Study II.26: The Blairs District, Silver Spring, MD, USA Planners have long understood the value to urbanized areas of ample open space, and northern American suburbs, developed at low densities, have generally had it in abundance. Increasingly, attention is directed to the quality of the open spaces: do people have access, and can they use them? It is one thing to have garden apartment buildings and residential towers set in a park, but what if much of the "park" is *actually* parking, and the remaining green space is largely ornamental and unprogrammed, replete with "keep off the grass" signs?   Enter the Blairs District in Silver Spring, Maryland. Over a 20-year build-out, a 27-acre superblock site will be gradually retrofitted into a walkable, urbanized node, laced with a network of highly programmed small park and plaza spaces. Longstanding property owner The Tower Companies has pledged that these spaces will be open to the public, providing lively, accessible, direct connections to the nearby commuter rail.   The plan, approved by Montgomery County in 2014, proposes doubling the overall number of residential units, to 2800, tripling the commercial space, with retail, office, and a hotel, while adding five acres of connected spaces to the walkable public realm—20% of the overall site area.   In November 2023, the owner announced $188M in refinancing for the next phase.   Team: The Tower Companies, Sasaki Assoc, Design Collective, Inc.   #RetrofittingSuburbia #urbandesign #urbandevelopment #regreening #reinhabitation #ImprovePublicHealth #DistruptAutomobileDependence #AddWaterandEnergyResilience ULI Australia Suburban Futures Ellen Dunham-Jones Mike Day Hatch