WHA

CONTACT:

Allie Martin

(949) 250-0607

alliem@whainc.com 

Four Key WHA Projects Approved in Orange County and Los Angeles, Including Ventura, Recovering From Recent Thomas Fire

TUSTIN, Calif. - CalAtlantic’s Levity was unanimously approved by the Tustin Planning Commission on November 28th. The 218-unit plan within Tustin Legacy was designed as a transition between a future high-density neighborhood and Greenwood, the existing community of traditional single-family detached homes that WHA designed a few years ago. WHA’s Rendering Studio created a video showcasing the community, which played a key role in achieving the successful approval.

Levity features three exciting new product types. The higher density 3-story townhomes feature WHA’s new “Atrium Court” concept. In the middle of the site are “Next Gen” flats with a second-floor getaway bonus room and roof decks. These small square footage units provide first-time-buyer affordability. On the east side are “Next Gen” cluster single-family, 2- to 3-story homes with roof decks and pocket yards.

TUSTIN, Calif. -  CalAtlantic’s Levity

AMCAL’s Las Ventanas received a very enthusiastic, unanimous approval from the City of Long Beach Planning Commission on December 7th. Located at the key intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, it will be the first project within the newly created Midtown Specific Plan.

Las Ventanas is a high-density (104 du/ac) mixed-use development with 102 affordable family units over retail. It is located at the Metro Blue Line stop and a bus stop/transfer station. The podium design provides for 77 parking spaces and 5 motorcycle spaces, taking advantage of a State law that allows only 0.5 parking spaces per unit for affordable housing located in proximity to transit stations.

Units range in size from studio to three bedrooms and focus around a landscaped podium courtyard with a tot lot. The development includes a four-story tile mural at the retail corner.

LONG BEACH, Calif. -  Las Ventanas

Johnson Development Associates’ (JDA) Ventura Triangle also received unanimous approval from the Ventura Design Review Committee in a special session on December 14th. The hearing had been delayed eight days and relocated due to the Thomas Fire. The 231-unit contemporary luxury apartment complex is adjacent to the downtown area on one of the last remaining large oceanfront parcels.

Numerous residents spoke in favor of the project, urging a unanimous vote while citing Ventura’s general lack of housing and quality rentals, and the tremendous housing need in the wake of the destructive fire where approximately 700 units were lost within the City limits. Acting Chair Tyson Cline said that JDA should write the book on how to get a project through the review process in Ventura, noting that at every point the JDA team responded to the advice and recommendations of the Committee with creativity beyond their expectations.

The site’s amenities include a distinctive community recreation center, a public promenade overlooking the ocean, a marine-themed playground, co-working and live-work spaces, and a park with a footbridge leading to the beach. The park will also serve as a satellite for the Ventura Botanical Garden.

VENTURA, Calif. -  Johnson Development Associates’ (JDA) Ventura Triangle

Shopoff Realty Investments’ Downtown Anaheim project received unanimous Planning Commission approval on December 14th. The 20.5-acre former industrial site, located in the Anaheim Colony area near the Packing House, will provide a variety of housing types including 160 townhomes, 72 single-family homes, and 314 apartments. Extensive community amenities include multiple pools, a clubhouse with a fitness center, a dog run, and playground. Homes will provide rooftop decks, patios, and balconies for an enhanced indoor-outdoor living.

Since the site is located within the Anaheim Colony Historical District, the traditional and modern architecture was also approved by the Historic Preservation Committee in May of this year.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -  Shopoff Realty

To view WHA’s 3D Animations on these recently approved projects, click here.

About WHA:

WHA Inc. (William Hezmalhalch Architects) is a comprehensive land planning and architectural design firm that specializes in the shaping of new communities, and reshaping of urban and existing in-town neighborhoods. For over 35 years, WHA has been the go-to firm for creating projects rich in diversity, creativity, and forward-thinking solutions. With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles and Bay Area, California, WHA has served numerous agencies, builders and developers, with an intense effort to over satisfy and maintain their confidence. WHA possesses a unique blend of visionary design professionals skilled in the various disciplines of Architecture, Planning, Community Design, Urban Design and Global Planning.

###

CONTACT:

Allie Martin

(949) 250-0607

alliem@whainc.com 

WHA Receives 2018 Silver Award Honors at The Nationals

Santa Ana, CA - Nationally recognized Santa Ana based firm, WHA (William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.) is excited to announce their recent accomplishments at the NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council. With over 1,330 entries, the Nationals honors the very best in the home building industry.

Arista – Plan 3 – Pardee Homes - Best Architectural Design of a SFD 3,501 to 4,000 sf

Arista is a new neighborhood located in the master-planned community of Aliento, a gated enclave in Santa Clarita. These homes are perched atop hillsides, allowing residents to enjoy miles of trails connecting to sunset overlooks. This community offers a modern interpretation on resort-style living, with a central clubhouse featuring pools, splash pad, and fitness center acting as the neighborhood social hub. Arista offers one and two-story plans ranging from 2,530-4,095 S.F., with architectural styles that include contemporary Spanish, modern adobe, and modern farmhouse. Flexible floor plans can be customized with several options including fireplaces, outdoor rooms, covered decks, open pavilions, game rooms and optional bedrooms and bathrooms. Senior Principal Don White, the lead designer of Arista, understood that the hillside views were extremely important. The goal was to provide immediate views through the home and out toward the rolling hills beyond. Flexible indoor/outdoor spaces further emphasize the views by providing optional outdoor rooms with stacking sliding doors and optional covered decks.

Riverstone – Riverstone Development - Master Planned Community of the Year

Numerous challenges faced the developer of this 2,000-acre Central California master-planned community. These included convincing buyers to move to an unproven extension of Fresno—and educating the public on the developer’s success in providing a sustainable water supply for the project and nearby farmers in the midst of California’s worst-ever drought. With innovative homes, a sustainable water supply, and a land plan protecting the project’s natural resources, this community is ushering in a new level of Valley life dedicated to the cultivation of happy, healthy families. At build-out, the community will offer eight residential districts with 6,578 homes in walkable neighborhoods, parks, trails and open space, multiple community clubhouses, a dog park, a community farm, historic olive and citrus groves, commercial and mixed-use space, and on-site schools.

The community achieved:

• Strong appeal with target of singles, couples, families and retirees residing in Fresno/Clovis metro
• Over 1,000 registrants on the interest list
• 130 homes sold (based on Sept. 2017 community grand opening, and builder sales office openings in Jan., Mar. and Aug. 2017)

The Gold Awards will be presented on January 10^th in Orlando, Florida.

About WHA:

WHA Inc. (William Hezmalhalch Architects) is a comprehensive land planning and architectural design firm that specializes in the shaping of new communities, and reshaping of urban and existing in-town neighborhoods. For over 35 years, WHA has been the go-to firm for creating projects rich in diversity, creativity, and forward-thinking solutions. With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles and Bay Area, California, WHA has served numerous agencies, builders and developers, with an intense effort to over satisfy and maintain their confidence. WHA possesses a unique blend of visionary design professionals skilled in the various disciplines of Architecture, Planning, Community Design, Urban Design and Global Planning.

###

San Diego - here we come! WHA is looking forward to another great year as we head down south to attend the 2017 Pacific Coast Builder’s Conference (PCBC).

If you’re attending the conference, make sure to check out WHA’s featured speakers, Todd Larner and Denise Ashton.

	Todd Larner will be discussing Creative Play in Master Planned Communities. Creative Play is the act of exploration through tactical, visual and auditory experiences in our surroundings which are key to mental and physical health. Connect with us on Thursday at 10 am in room 32 as we show examples of Creative Play being implemented in new communities in simple and effective design applications.
	Denise Ashton will be discussing how the Easy Sites are Gone and what strategies WHA implements when faced with irregular, topographically challenged sites with numerous constraints. Join us at 11 am in room 33 as we discuss our process on creating purposeful programmed spaces, preserving privacy and creating activity zones that encourage social interaction.

WHA is looking forward to another great year at PCBC. See you all in sunny San Diego!

It is with great honor that we extend our congratulations to  WHA’s newest Executive Vice President, Fernando Laullon. An architect with over 32 years of experience, Fernando has been involved in all aspects of business and project development.

Fernando has been a speaker at several Building Industry Association events and is actively involved in Habitat for Humanity and HomeAid.

He is also a past member of the Board of Directors for Laura’s House. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1985 from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.  

He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.