KTGY Principal Manny Gonzalez Selected as NAHB Multifamily Pillars Conference Speaker

March 17, 2009 - PRLog -- IRVINE, CALIF. - KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has recognized KTGY as a finalist for three NAHB Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards: Market Lofts in Downtown Los Angeles as the Best Mid-Rise Condominium Community; Serenade at RiverPark in Oxnard, Calif. as the Best Multifamily Community Site Plan; and Vista Del Campo Norte on the University of California, Irvine campus as the Best Student Housing Rental Apartment Community. The Pillars of the Industry Awards, which are regarded as the multifamily housing industry’s most prestigious awards, honor superior achievement in apartment and condominium development, design, marketing and management, and are considered a showcase of future trends. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on March 18, 2009, held in conjunction with NAHB Multifamily’s Pillars of the Industry Conference, at the Hotel del Coronado Resort in San Diego, Calif.  

In addition, KTGY principal and architectural design and planning housing expert, Manny Gonzalez, AIA, will provide his design expertise as a panelist for the Pillars of the Industry Conference session, “Design Trends: Award-Winning Case Studies from the Pillars of the Industry,” on March 18, from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm. Gonzalez will discuss KTGY’s award-winning designs and highlight his strategies for success and the latest design trends for affordable, market-rate and for-sale communities. A senior partner in KTGY’s Santa Monica office, Gonzalez is responsible for the design, land planning and production of developments throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado as well as active adult and affordable multi-family communities nationwide.

In his more than 20 years of practice in residential development, Gonzalez has won numerous awards for his designs including Gold Nugget, Best in American Living, NAHB, Pillars of Industry, MAME and Elan. He has served as Chair of the AIA Housing Committee, on the Board of Directors for the BIA, and on national committees for the NAHB 50+ Symposium and University of Housing. He is currently on the Editorial Advisory Board of 50+ Builder and has written and contributed to scores of articles on residential design. Gonzalez has also presented his industry trends and observations to audiences at numerous local, regional and national conferences as well as the 1st International Housing Conference of the Americas in Mexico City.

Market Lofts in Los Angeles, which received recognition as an award finalist in the Best Mid-Rise Condominium Community category, is a mixed-use retail/residential urban community located in the heart of downtown includes six stories of for-sale lofts above street-level retail and a subterranean garage. Residential components include 267 upscale loft units ranging in size from 685 - 1,588 sq. ft., pool court plaza deck, clubroom, theater and fitness facilities. The loft designs are upscale and open to take advantage of as much natural light as possible. The retail on the ground level of the building, which is anchored by Ralphs Fresh Fare supermarket, the first supermarket in downtown Los Angeles since the 1950s, not only serves the growing residential neighborhood in its immediate vicinity, but double as convenient amenities for the residents. Other retailers at the Market Lofts include The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Cold Stone Creamery, Quiznos Subs, the UPS Store, Robeks Juice and Pastagina. Lee Homes/CIM Group are the developers.

Serenade at RiverPark in Oxnard, Calif. was honored as an award finalist in the category of Best Multifamily Community Site Plan. The 400-unit luxury garden apartment community, which features a variety of well-appointed 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences, offers an elevated standard of living enhanced by its location next to an array of planned shopping, dining and recreation opportunities. Rich in style and comfort, the apartment homes feature high-end appointments and designer touches, including granite countertops throughout, gourmet kitchens and attached garages. Residents also can enjoy a club room, kitchen and dining facilities, tech center, fitness and yoga among others in the community center in a unique layout that frames the terrace fountain. When they need to relax, residents can soak in the spa, take a refreshing plunge in the pool, stroll the Central Park and enjoy many more amenities that this neighborhood has to offer within walking distance. Developer is RP Apartment Ventures LLC.

Vista Del Campo Norte, situated on the University of California, Irvine campus, was recognized as an award finalist in the category for Best Student Housing Rental Apartment Community. Considered a showcase in this specialty niche market, the sustainably-designed apartment complex is purpose built for students in their upper-class years seeking an on-campus or near campus location with favorable rents which is well amenitized, including availability of access to campus on the university’s transportation system. It is located on the eastern edge of the campus with access from the interior road system, affording a sense of security and community and integrated with bicycle trails and walking paths that link to the main campus core and the Anteater Recreation Center, the East Campus social scene. Room availabilities offer private bedroom and bathrooms and a mix of shared bedroom, shared bath configurations making affordable bed space available within the same apartment unit. Amenities within the neighborhoods include barbeques, outdoor dining and quiet seating areas within lushly landscaped courtyards. A community garden is the pride of the neighborhood. The two community buildings are located for easy access to the game rooms, laundry, mail boxes, fitness center, pool and spa. The hacienda style community building is dedicated for use by grad students, including a residential style kitchen and family room. Developer is American Campus Communities.

KTGY has won countless awards for its many mixed-income, affordable, workforce, senior and campus housing projects. Some of KTGY’s other recent award-winning projects include: Nuevo Amanecer Apartments in Pajaro, Calif., which offers affordable, quality homes for low income migrant and resident farm workers; Casa del Maestro in Santa Clara, Calif., a pioneering public/private partnership, which created a high quality 40-unit apartment project for the district’s teaching pool which was completed – start to finish – in only two years; College Vista in San Mateo, Calif., a public/private partnership, which created a 44-unit apartment community for San Mateo’s community college faculty; Garden Grove Senior Apartments in Garden Grove, Calif., a high density, 100% affordable, 85-unit active adult community; and KTGY’s third student housing project at the University of California, Irvine, which will target gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system and will bring the total of campus beds designed by KTGY to over 4,000.

Established in 1991, KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and architectural design services for residential communities, retail developments, hospitality and related specialty projects. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients throughout the U.S., KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. For more information, see www.ktgy.com.