Transit-Oriented Brio Completed

WALNUT CREEK, CA—National architecture and planning firm KTGY Group Inc. and SummerHill Apartment Communities have completed construction of Brio, a new 300-unit luxury residential rental community here. Brio is in Contra Costa County situated four blocks from a BART light rail station in Walnut Creek. The completion of project was recently celebrated with a public art unveiling on November 18th.  The property is located at 161 North Civic Drive, steps from downtown Walnut Creek. Walnut Creek Mayor Kristina Lawson says the development epitomizes smart infill by replacing a vacant, functionally-obsolete office building and parking lot with a beautiful state-of-the-art energy-efficient residential community. “The Brio project is a perfect fit for our vibrant downtown, offering people a place to live that is close to public transit, shopping, dining and the arts,” said  Lawson. “In addition, project developers provided traffic and pedestrian improvements that will benefit the entire community.” According to Robert Freed, CEO of SummerHill Housing Group, Brio appeals to residents who value the highest quality finishes and want to be close to downtown and transit such as young professionals, empty-nesters and those who have relocated or moved down and want to rent. BRIO offers one- and two-bedroom apartment homes ranging in size from 667 to 1,051 square feet. Brio’s alternative transportation amenities include bicycle storage and electric vehicle charging stations.  The apartment community’s garage is CALGreen certified and includes a 46.5KW system of solar panels on the roof of the garage, motion sensor lighting controls, and two dual electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to accommodate four cars and up to 21 EV charging stations in the future. The apartment community building exceeds California’s Title 24 requirements by 15% and includes low VOC finish products and recycled content.  At the new signalized intersection of North Civic Drive and Brio Drive, in front of Brio’s entrance will be renowned contemporary artist Phillip Smith’s Gradient Column, a 32′ tall static sculpture. As either cars drive by or people approach the soaring totemic sculpture, colors will appear to shift whether you are approaching from the north or the south. And the movement of the sun will create a varied experience from dawn until dusk. KTGY is the architect of record for Brio and provided design development, construction document and construction administration services. Studio T-Sq of Oakland, Calif., provided the concept. SummerHill Apartment Communities is a division of SummerHill Housing Group.