8th Avenue Family Apartments is a symbol of hope and inclusivity, offering 80 affordable homes across 8-stories on a compact 12,000 sf urban site. With a mix of unit sizes from 420 sf studios to 1,250 sf three bedrooms, this building provides low income families of varying sizes with high-quality living spaces.
The u-shaped building fronts a public street and alleys on three sides and shelters a courtyard to the quieter northern side. The main façade along 8th Avenue is enlivened with a series of staggered, projecting bays with ribbed metal cladding. In contrast to the bays, the main mass of the building is a simple white box punctuated with square windows. The facades within the courtyard have a playful, pixelated green palette that serve as a visual extension of the planted areas within.
The indoor-outdoor lobby aligns with the courtyard to bring natural light and views from the street into the heart of the community, while also providing a secure sense of home and arrival. Common amenities such as a community room, kitchen and laundry room encircle the courtyard, providing a safe place for kids to play and for parents to watch over them. The building is crowned on the 8th floor with a community co-working lounge and balcony with special views to Balboa Park. With the project’s prominent location just north of University Ave, this rooftop element with expansive glass and a sloping roof will be a beacon on the Hillcrest skyline. This project is a shining example of how we can create complete communities that contribute to an already vibrant and rich community.
Completion: 2026
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