AMF Nears Completion on Gen Y Housing Concept
AMF Development LLC has topped out the first of a planned series of developments it calls Young Urban Communities.
By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor
Glendale, Calif.—AMF Development LLC (AMFD) has topped out the first of a planned series of developments it calls Young Urban Communities. The 208-unit mixed-use project, named Elevé Lofts & Skydeck, is designed specifically for the Gen Y demographic–those between 20 and 34 years old–many of whom had been forced to either move home or have roommates, given the weak economy, but who are now seeking their own digs again.
AMFD, which specializes in multifamily and mixed-use projects in southern California, decided to develop a product specifically for this market based in part on a research project completed for the company by the Futures Co. “According to the study, 62 percent of the respondents would rather live in a studio apartment alone, rather than in a larger space with a roommate,” Alan Dibartolomeo, chief development officer of AMFD, tells MHN. “That’s true even if the residence cost more–up to $300 a month more.”
The structure is comprised of six levels of residential space offering “micro-one bedrooms,” twin master bedroom units, and two-story lofts with 16-foot ceilings, which comprise 50 percent of the units. Also, the ground floor space will house a hotel-style residents’ lobby and main desk, upscale restaurant and retail venues. There are three levels of below-grade residential parking. It will be completed in the spring.
The micro-one bedroom unit concept is unique to the property. It integrates a full kitchen, bath, living room and bedroom with closet in under 400 square feet.
A high level of technology is available throughout the development, which is being designed to LEED Silver specifications. Leasing tours will be led by a representative using an iPad along a “leasing path” from entry to the roof top area. Other on-site amenities include a fitness center outfitted with programmable cardio equipment with flat screens and iPod docks, and a business center with multiple workstations, printers, and high bandwidth fiber-optic data feed.
The Sky Deck, which is the 26,000-square-foot roof level, does duty as an open-air entertainment space designed with activity specific zones. These include semi-private cabanas with power outlets and wifi, a demonstration kitchen, barbecues, a media center, a poet’s corner complete with a piano, a party area with fire pits, a separate sunning deck with hot and cold spas, and a fenced dog park complete with a bathing station.
