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).
2. HISTORIC OFFICE TOWER TURNED INTO MIXED-USE RESIDENTIAL ENTERPRISE
In downtown Dallas, the six-story Mayflower office building—listed on the National Register of Historic Places—has 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.
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.
4. HOUSTON GETS ITS FIRST MICRO-UNIT RESIDENCES
The first micro-units to hit the Houston market are currently being occupied at Surge Homes’ Parc at Midtown. The 450-sf micros—one-bedroom, one-bath condominiums—are in addition to two-bedroom, two-bath flats, penthouses, two-story “Sky Townhomes” (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.
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.
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.
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