Urban Infill: Raising the Bar

Modern design, comfortable living, a better community.

 

Infill developments are starting to sprout up in cities all over the country. With a goal to improve urban fabric and promote a vibrant city core, developers are seeking out vacant or undeveloped sites within an existing infrastructure and filling those “gaps” with new buildings. These projects serve as an opportunity to use innovative and sustainable design to transform a once eye-sore into a valuable piece of real estate.

As the practice of urban infill gains popularity, it becomes more and more important to hold these developments to a higher standard, for the sake of creating a better community and to provide modern and functional homes for the future owners. Raising the bar on the design of these homes is what will give urban infill developers an edge in the years to come.

Just as infill developments improve the communities in which they are built, the design of each unit should improve the quality of life of the homeowner. Condos are limited in square footage so it is important to stay on the cutting edge of design to ensure the utilization of all available space and provide an open and comfortable living area. Floor plans need to be functional while supplying owners with amenities that allow them to take full advantage of their surrounding environment. In San Diego, for example, where the weather is gorgeous year-round, floor plans should include outdoor areas which allow homeowners to enjoy it. In addition, attention to energy conservation and sustainability should be at the top of a developers priority list as we continue to embrace green living. Sourcing materials locally and incorporating recycled materials into the design whenever possible ensures that these infill developments are improving the community through more than just aesthetics.

Canter Companies’ involvement with urban infill developments such as the C2 Lofts, a joint-venture project currently being constructed in Hillcrest, is very important to our business on a number of levels. Upon completion, these projects showcase how infill developments can be on the cutting edge of design, while still providing comfort for their inhabitants. The ability to play a part in upgrading a neighborhood is something Canter Companies takes very seriously. If we can do this while providing a state-of-the-art home to a buyer, then we consider it a success. We strive to not just simply make a profit on our investments, but elevate standards of development in the area. As these projects begin to materialize, it is necessary to ensure an intelligent design that compliments their urban location in order to set them apart. This detailed approach will allow residents to take advantage of San Diego’s stunning views and warm weather in a vibrant and unique living space.

Infill projects are attractive to urban communities everywhere. They reduce sprawl, increase population, and improve the quality of a neighborhood. These developments should not only provide home buyers with an ideal location and convenience of urban amenities, they should provide a modern yet comfortable home. This is where design can take urban infill to the next level, and where Canter Companies is finding a niche as an investor.