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Digital Foundry at New Kensington – ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Finalist
Learn more about 2023 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence Finalist, Digital Foundry at New Kensington (New Kensington, Pennsylvania).
April 26, 2023
Olivia Richardson
Location: San Diego, California
Developer: Nakhshab Development & Design, Inc.
Designer: Nakhshab Development & Design, Inc.
Site Size: 0.09 Acres
Ezabelle features 46 thoughtfully-designed micro apartments replete with stylish finishes and built-ins that maximize square footage. With plans that range in size from 195 to 305 square feet, these small but mighty units have proven to be a perfect match for today’s eco-minded city dweller. Retails spaces boast a private open-air breezeway—perfect for outdoor seating. A residents-only roofdeck offers skyline views and a breath of fresh air. Olive trees and low-maintenance foliage were incorporated for aesthetics and environmental impact. In an area filled with high density developments, Ezabelle offers a comfortable urban lifestyle suitable for residents seeking a simpler approach to apartment living.
Nakhshab, having developed a penchant for unwieldy plots of land and urban historical gems, jumped at the chance to purchase the parcel in 2017. After the structure was officially designated as a historical residence, the City of San Diego was originally unwilling to allow any additions to the original structure. Nakhshab worked closely with Save Our Heritage, a local non-profit group dedicated to preserving historic architecture and the cultural resources of the San Diego area, to convince city staff that redevelopment would be in the best interest of the residents and the community. The partnership resulted in the go-ahead for Nakhshab to thoughtfully redesign the property within the strict guidelines of the city’s historical preservation program. The final product is a mixed-use, multi-residential building that encompasses the modern millennial and Gen-Z urban lifestyles: purposeful, culturally-aware, and eco-friendly.
A concrete balcony floats above a charming mansard roof, overlooking the street. Upper floors boast private balconies for street-facing units, complete with built-in planters that create an urban vertical garden. The interior side of the building features cut-out courtyard housing units that boast large windows open to the charming neighboring historical residence. Piano key windows provide additional light into each unit’s bathroom space. An open-air rooftop with entertaining areas, firepits, and seating boasts panoramic views of the city and San Diego Bay. Most importantly, the structure fits perfectly and thoughtfully into place among its neighbors.
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