Lewis Plans $600M in Apartments

The company will open a leasing office later this month at the Mira Loma, CA site of the first of the seven projects, which will be marketed under the name "Homecoming." The Mira Loma development will be called Homecoming At Eastvale and is expected to be ready for occupancy in March.

Lewis says it will develop the project in response to "changing American lifestyles and demographics." The company, which has developed homes and apartments for nearly 50 years, says the townhouses and villas will rent for approximately $1,200 to $2,000, although final pricing will be based on local market rates.

Besides the development due to open in Mira Loma, Lewis will open one of its Homecoming projects this year in Sacramento, Calif. The other locations where projects are scheduled include Reno, Nev. and the California cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Loma Linda, Fairfield and Chino.

Randall Lewis, principal and executive vice president of Lewis Apartment Communities, says the company is responding in part to changing demographics and lifestyles as reflected in data from the National Multi Housing Council. The data shows that two of the fastest growing age groups and likely renters over the next 10 years will be people in their mid-20s and empty nesters in their 50s. Also, the housing council studies show a growing number of renters among childless couples, people who live alone, single-parent families and other demographic groups.

Lewis says the seven developments will be large, low-density gated communities averaging 500 to 700 units or more, compared with 200 to 300 units for typical apartment projects. The townhouses and villas will feature more square footage, with floor plans of 1,200 to 1,700 sf and a greater selection of floor plans. About 75% of the units will have no neighbors above or below and about 80% will provide direct access to garages. The developments will also offer non-smoking and pet-friendly buildings.

Each development will include a 14,000-sf clubhouse, with features such as a 24-hour gym with adjacent children's area, a 24-hour business center and conference rooms, theater with projection television, a community room with full catering kitchen, game rooms, hobby and crafts room, players club with card and pool tables, library, cyber café and a demonstration kitchen. Outdoor amenities will include a resort-style junior Olympic pool and spa, children's play park, sport courts, and walking and jogging trails.