CARLSBAD, CA— Carlsbad Village Lofts, which received unanimous City Council approval recently, even won approval from a council member known for not being developer friendly, AVRP Skyport Studios' chairman and founder Doug Austin tells GlobeSt.com. The architectural firm and developer Gerber Group are collaborating on the proposed mixed-use project, which aims to revitalize a gateway parcel to Carlsbad Village with market-rate and affordable housing, ground-floor retail, public plaza space and a new pedestrian-friendly street connecting Carlsbad Village Dr. to Grand Ave. Its principals intend for the development to become a signature project for the City of Carlsbad and a regional model for smart, sustainable growth.

Gerber Group founder Evan Gerber says, “This success is the result of three years of public outreach to incorporate the community's input and honor the City of Carlsbad's sustainability, infill and affordable-housing goals.”

Carlsbad Village Lofts, which will be located at 1044 Carlsbad Village Dr., will occupy a 2.23-acre parcel that is currently home to a Denny's restaurant. The development will feature 106 apartments (16 of which will be affordable), approximately 9,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space and 186 parking spaces. Common-area amenities for the new apartments will include a fitness center, a rooftop terrace with vegetable gardens, dining areas, BBQ areas and a communal conference room.