Why it worked: The half-block project incorporates condos, townhomes, and single-family homes into the eclectic architecture of a historic neighborhood on the rebound--an area in which no other new housing is being built.
* Urban infill on 1.6 acres was formerly occupied by a church. University professionals and parents who want to provide student housing for their children are attracted to the project, which is in a neighborhood between historic downtown Tucson and the University of Arizona.
* The eclectic architecture of the neighborhood, built in the 1900s to 1930s, allowed the builder to offer four historic styles--Mission Revival, Queen Anne, Spanish Colonial, and Bungalow.
* Beautiful stone veneers are made with local lava rock.
* The project is built to environmental efficiency standards set by the Tucson Electric Power Guarantee Program.
* Landscaping is with indigenous, drought-resistant plants. Grass lawns are becoming a thing of the past in Tucson.
Project Credits
Project: West University Court Homes, Tucson, Ariz.; Sales started: February 2003; Sales through September 2003: 10 condos, four townhomes, three single-family detached; Number of units planned: 12 condos, four townhomes, seven single-family detached; Price: $189,000 to $320,000; Unit size: 1,200 to 1,870 square feet; Developer: West University Court LLC (The Kemmerly Cos. and others), Tucson; Builder: Miramonte Homes (division of Kemmerly), Tucson; Architect: Eglin/Cohen Architects, Tucson; Landscape architect: Acuna Coffeen, Tucson
Learn more about markets featured in this article: Tucson, AZ.
