Vitus Group Finishes Affordable Housing Rehab in San Diego
Vitus Group has completed its renovation of the 448-unit Meadowbrook Apartments in San Diego’s Skyline neighborhood.
By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor
San Diego—Vitus Group has completed its renovation of the 448-unit Meadowbrook Apartments in San Diego’s Skyline neighborhood. According to the company, which specializes in affordable housing development, the 22-acre property is one of the largest affordable housing rehabilitation projects in California.
The property was originally built in 1970. Vitus Group acquired it in late 2013 and undertook the complete rehabilitation of all of its units (averaging $50,000 spent on each unit), including new appliances, plumbing, flooring and windows.
Each renovation was completed quickly, within an average of three days, notes Vitus, as an example of “renovating in place,” a process that means minimal displacement for residents. The property’s buildings and exterior features were also renovated to include new landscaping, fenced terraces, a playground, community gardens and classroom spaces.
Vitus Group led an overhaul of management and resident services. On-site services now offer after-school programs, community meeting rooms and senior activities. The apartments include such environmentally friendly features as high efficiency boilers, low-e glazing windows, solar panels and Energy Star appliances.
Meadowbrook is also an example of “Active Design,” a way of building that encourages residents to move more, resulting in better fitness and healthier communities. According to the Center for Active Design, active building features include stairs that are accessible, attractive, and well-lit; circulation spaces that promote walking; outdoor bicycle parking and indoor bicycle storage; and on-site exercise facilities and play spaces.
Vitus Group is one of the first affordable housing developers to commit to these design principles on 80 percent of its future developments, in conjunction with the Michelle Obama-backed organization Partnership for a Healthier America. The property is managed by U.S. Residential Group, with resident services provided by the nonprofit Project Access. The project was completed by MCC Contractors.
