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Cornerstone Communities, the largest private homebuilder in San Diego County, is entering the nascent market of all-electric homes in its new upscale townhome community named Laurel Heights.
Cornerstone and its financial partner Presidio Residential Capital purchased a five-acre parcel of land in Santee, Calif., to build 80 two-story townhomes southeast of Aubrey Glen Drive and Mission Gorge Road. Model construction will begin in the spring of 2022, and the first homes released for sale will start construction in the summer of 2022.
Laurel Heights will be an environmentally conscious community created to provide families with a more sustainable lifestyle that embraces solar panels, smart home features and pre-wiring for electric car charging. All homes will feature highly efficient electrical appliances that save energy, improve indoor air quality and leave a smaller carbon footprint. Everything runs on electricity – including heat pumps, air conditioners, dryers, induction ovens and stove tops – instead of natural gas.
“It’s good for the planet and our homeowners’ pocketbooks, and that is certain to appeal to our target demographic of millennials and young families,” said Michael Sabourin, president and COO of Cornerstone Communities. “Buyers not only receive a modern home with smart technology and lower utility bills, they’re also helping the environment.”
Cornerstone’s first foray into the all-electric home model comes at a time when California lawmakers and activists are pushing for energy-efficient appliances and phasing out gas hookups for homes in the Golden State, where roughly 80 percent of all homes still rely on natural gas. Last August, the California Energy Commission passed new energy codes that incentivize electric appliances and efficient heating and cooling systems that will go into effect in 2023.
“This is what the future holds for us in the homebuilding industry. It’s only a matter of time before our state requires all electrical appliances and outlaws natural gas in new home construction,” said Cornerstone CEO Ure Kretowicz. “We asked ourselves, why wait to go electric because you’re forced to? We choose to get ahead of the curve to face tomorrow’s challenges today. We feel by doing so, we can gain a first mover advantage over our competition.”
And Cornerstone is not stopping with Laurel Heights. It is planning multiple all-electric projects, including a planned 450-townhome development divided into four “villages" in the Otay Mesa/San Ysidro area that Kretowicz defines as “incredible workforce housing."
Laurel Heights will offer three floorplans with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Ranging from 1,601 to 1,818 square feet, the two largest plans will also offer second-floor lofts or home offices. The townhomes will showcase private, fenced rear yards and attached direct access two-car garages. Some of the homesites will have mountain views and oversized yards.
“We’re excited to build another quality community in this beautiful area of San Diego County,” said Sabourin. “Residents will enjoy a community pool, tot lot, grassy park area and nearby hiking access at the scenic Mission Trails Regional Park and the Santee Lakes. The greenbelts will be well used, I’m sure, by all who live here.”
Located in southwestern Santee less than two miles from the 52 Freeway, it’s also proximate to major retail shopping, services and schools. Elementary and middle school students can attend Chet F. Harritt School in Santee School District and high school students can attend West Hills High School in Grossmont Union High School District.
Cornerstone Communities, in partnership with Presidio Residential Capital – a San Diego-based real estate management company – has developed 16 joint venture projects in San Diego, Riverside and Kern counties.
Axis at North Station to Offer 77 Townhomes Near Salt Lake City
Van Daele Homes and Presidio Residential Capital have purchased a parcel of land within the 4,200-acre master-planned community Daybreak in South Jordan, Utah, near Salt Lake City, to build a new 77-unit row townhome community named Axis at North Station. The community is located off South Jordan Parkway, adjacent to the American Academy of Innovation and just steps from the South Jordan Parkway Light Rail Station. Presales for Axis are anticipated for early 2022, with a model grand opening and first move-ins anticipated for late spring/early summer 2022.
"There is an elite group of highly respected homebuilders here in Daybreak that we're excited to join," said Todd Demarets, Utah division president. "To partner with Daybreak developers Larry H. Miller Real Estate and bring Axis at North Station to life is an amazing opportunity, and we're grateful for the partnership."
Outdoor conveniences available to all Daybreak residents include multiple community parks with open spaces, play equipment and pavilions; sports courts; 50+ miles of trails; community gardens; pet parks; five pools and a splash pool; a 67-acre freshwater lake; and multiple community centers like the Daybreak Community Center with fitness facilities.
Axis at North Station will offer three innovative floorplans of two- and -three story townhomes with three to four bedrooms and up to 3.5 bathrooms. Each residence includes an attached two-car garage and ranges from approximately 1,620 to 1,915 square feet. Each home will have a roof deck for entertaining and enjoying the surrounding Utah scenery. Interiors feature high-end maple-stained cabinetry throughout, stainless steel appliances packages and quartz countertops. Other features included chef’s quality kitchens with island workspaces, first-floor bedrooms convenient for guests or multi-generational living (per plan), spacious master suites, ample great room spaces and roof decks with customization opportunities to make each roof level outdoor space unique.
Axis at North Station is 22 miles southwest of downtown Salt Lake City and 16 miles northwest of Silicon Slopes in Lehi, a major tech-oriented job center home to notable companies such as Facebook, Adobe, Microsoft, Zion’s Bank and more. Amazon recently constructed a 1.3 million-square-foot fulfillment center about two miles from the community and is planning to add over 1,000 jobs to the local workforce.
Van Daele Homes, in partnership with Presidio Residential Capital – a San Diego-based real estate development management company – has developed three joint venture projects together in California and Utah.
CCB and Williams Homes Each to Build Multifamily Project in San Luis Ranch
Presidio Residential Capital has announced its plan for a collection of 296 townhomes, condominiums and efficiency condos at The Orchard, a multifamily neighborhood in the highly anticipated mixed-use development of San Luis Ranch in southwest San Luis Obispo.
The Orchard will consist of three projects with distinct designs and price ranges constructed by Presidio’s joint venture partners Coastal Community Builders (CCB) and Williams Homes. CCB will build Harvest Vista, consisting of 96 condominiums, and Williams Homes will present Fig, a collection of 80 townhomes. A third neighborhood called Harvest Lofts featuring 120 efficiency condos is also planned for future development.
Site improvements are underway on the 11-acre parcel with model construction anticipated to begin in spring 2021. The combined value of these three communities located at 1035 Madonna Road is estimated at $150 million.
“These well-thought-out communities are ideal for young families, first time homebuyers and even retirees looking to downsize,” said Don Faye, co-principal of Presidio. “The neighborhoods offer low-maintenance living at the center of an exciting “farm-to-table” community concept.”
CCB’s Harvest Vista community will feature two- to three-bedroom plans ranging from 950 to 1,140 square feet. These contemporary condominiums will be appointed with laminate flooring, quartz countertops and high-efficiency appliances with every unit having a spacious private outdoor patio or balcony. Prices will start from the high $400,000s.
At Fig, the farmhouse inspired townhomes by Williams Homes will showcase three-bedroom, two- to three-story open concept designs ranging from 1,346 to 1,501 square feet. Floor plans will offer GE appliance packages, laminate flooring, quartz countertops, private patios and decks and two-car garages. Prices will start from the high $500,000s.
The third community, called Harvest Lofts, is suited to young professionals, couples and anyone looking for a more affordable option. Both studio and one-bedroom dwellings, ranging from 380 to 580 square feet, will be available in the future with prices projected to start from the mid $300,000s.
Residents of all three communities will have access to the Harvest Club, a well-appointed gathering area within The Orchard that will include an 1,800-square-foot multi-purpose center with community room and pool.
“CCB and Williams Homes have designed an attractive collection of multifamily homes providing a true sense of community with modern living at their core,” said co-principal at Presidio, Paul Lucatuorto. “Their progressive and practical home designs offer living spaces for today’s busy lifestyles without sacrificing aesthetic, convenience or connection to nature.”
San Luis Ranch is the first farm-to-table community on California’s Central Coast, preserving agricultural land and built alongside an organic farm. Multimodal pathways are within easy reach encouraging residents to walk or bike to work, retail centers, amenities and relaxing open spaces. The master plan has over 50 acres of agricultural land and dedicated open space, which helps preserve the area’s eco-system.
The 131-acre master planned community includes 150,000 square feet of retail space; 100,000 square feet of office space; a four-story, 200-room hotel; and a total of 580 residential homes. The development is within a 10-minute commute to Cal Polytechnic State University (SLO) as well as downtown San Luis Obispo. Entertainment, shopping and parks are nearby, and the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is within a short drive.
The area is serviced by the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, and students can attend C.L. Smith Elementary, Laguna Middle School and San Luis Obispo High School.