SAN CLEMENTE, CA—Meta Housing Corp. has completed construction of the $32.4-million Cotton's Point Senior Apartments, a 76-unit, affordable-housing community at 2358 N. El Camino Real here for seniors aged 62+. The new development “delivers much-needed affordable housing to the city of San Clemente,” says Kasey Burke, president of Meta Housing.
“With the support of the City and County, we were able to transform a blighted, abandoned restaurant on an underutilized lot into a beautiful, amenity-rich community that will significantly enhance the vitality of the city of San Clemente,” Burke adds.
Cotton's Point features various amenities, including a large courtyard with two adjacent community rooms that encourage interaction, as well as a fitness center, tech room, numerous seating areas, a putting green and a barbeque grilling station. In addition, residents will have access to a variety of free classes and services including programs that encourage lifelong learning, wellness and creativity.
“With today's seniors living longer, healthier lives, we continue to see a tremendous demand for active living,” Burke tells GlobeSt.com. “The aging population is no longer looking for a place to simply reside. Rather, they are seeking stimulating, engaging environments where they can interact and connect with others within their community.”
Western Community Housing acted as both a co-developer and a general partner for the project. Public-sector financing for the development was provided by the City of San Clemente, which contributed just over $3 million to the project; the County of Orange, which contributed nearly $1.7 million; the Mental Health Services Act program, which contributed $1.6 million; the State of California Multi-Housing Program, which provided nearly $5.5 million; and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco's Affordable Housing Program, which provided $760,000.
The complex was designed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style by YM Architects and delivers scenic views of the ocean and a nearby golf course. Leasing for the community began in June, and it is now 95% occupied.
The project is adjacent to a steep riparian ravine, which created some initial design and construction challenges, according to Tim Soule, Meta Housing's project manager. “Two distinct challenges emerged based on the site location that required deep development expertise to circumvent. The first was the property's height, which needed to remain low in order to ensure that other properties in the neighborhood retained their ocean views.”
Meta reduced the building height of the community by setting the project deep into the hillside and constructing a discretely located subterranean parking structure. “We were careful to ensure that the development did not encroach upon the riparian area,” says Soule. “Retaining walls and deep caissons allowed us to preserve the existing topography and ensure that the community seamlessly blends into the hillside.”
In addition, there was initial concern regarding potential noise from the nearby freeway. “By adding a glass sound wall between the building and the freeway and installing sound-dampening windows, we were able to deflect the freeway noise and ensure the comfort of our future residents.”
As GlobeSt.com reported in May, Meta Housingand Path Ventures broke ground on a high-quality, affordable senior housing multifamily complex in Long Beach, CA, called Long Beach and 21st Apartments. Once completed, the facility expects to achieve LEED-Silver certified status.
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Carrie Rossenfeld
Carrie Rossenfeld is a reporter for the San Diego and Orange County markets on GlobeSt.com and a contributor to Real Estate Forum. She was a trade-magazine and newsletter editor in New York City before moving to Southern California to become a freelance writer and editor for magazines, books and websites. Rossenfeld has written extensively on topics including commercial real estate, running a medical practice, intellectual-property licensing and giftware. She has edited books about profiting from real estate and has ghostwritten a book about starting a home-based business.
