This affordable senior housing development is a renovation project designed to improve the existing neighborhood and add new social services for active senior residents. This sixteen story tower has been a landmark in the heart of Chula Vista since 1973. Having fallen into disrepair, the ownership embarked on giving this aging landmark a fresh start with new interior finishes and infrastructure improvements.  The Owner’s program also included new administration offices and social spaces for more gathering opportunities.

The conditions of the existing building had declined over the years and started affecting the quality of life for the residents. The indoor common spaces were tired and undersized for a building of this magnitude.  Common outdoor spaces were uninviting and left residents exposed to the adjacent street traffic. The remodel consisted of updated finishes, plumbing and electrical throughout all its sixteen floors, embracing sustainable technologies in every opportunity. The building boast cool roofs, water conserving plumbing fixtures, energy efficient equipment, enhanced indoor air quality and upgraded building envelopes.  New apartment interiors feature new flooring, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, mechanical system and balcony windows/doors.

The heart of the project, however, is the design and enlargement of the ground floor community spaces. The building addition spread outward to the unused front yard. It included a large community room, lounge, modern kitchen, a cloistered outdoor patio, and to the delight of many pet owners, a designated dog run. Classrooms for crafts and offices for on-site social services completed the transformation. The main entry was enhanced with a trellised sitting area, fountain and green open space, providing a welcoming and active street scene for its residents and visitors.

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