Townhome Development On Fire

LOS ANGELES—Storm Properties has acquired a vacant land site in Whittier, CA, to build Cambridge Place, a community of 32 townhomes. Located at the corner of Hadley Street and Magnolia Avenue, the property once housed a gas station, retail store and mini-golf course, but has been vacant since 2003. Storm Properties will have to re-zone land site. The purchase price for the land site was not disclosed.

“We are experienced urban developers and recognized the need for quality housing in that area. We have worked with the city to design homes that reflect Whittier's rich architectural history,” Jon Spelke, director of development at Storm Properties, tells GlobeSt.com. “This urban infill site is well located and adjacent to some great amenities. It is across the street from Whittier Marketplace, which offers a variety of retail shops, and has a high walk score, which we feel is a great incentive for our target market. New homeowners will be less than a mile from Uptown Whittier, which features an array of restaurants, specialty shops, and entertainment that includes live music venues.”

Cambridge Place will feature two- and three-bedroom floor plans, ranging in size from 1,225 square feet to 1,800 square feet. The craftsman-style homes were inspired by Whittier's high-quality architectural history. “We worked closely with the city and surrounding neighbors to craft a community that will complement the neighborhood and offer a meaningful living experience for our buyers,” says Spelke, who declined to comment on the cost of the development, but did say that the developer will fund the project with all-cash. Storm Properties expects to deliver the homes in 2016.

There is a growing demand for affordable for-sale housing, and townhome-style properties really fit those needs. “We analyzed the demographic shifts and trends occurring in this market and determined that the demand for quality new homes is strong,” says Spelke. “We believe that young families looking to purchase a new home will love the design and layout of our product.” There are several townhome developments underway throughout Los Angeles, including several communities by Brandywine Homes.