Formerly Park Square Commercial, Kimaya, an affiliate subsidiary of Park Square Enterprises, recently celebrated the opening of its first build-to-rent project Champions Chase.
In addition, the community in Champions Gate, Florida, was awarded the Greater Orlando Builder’s Association’s 2023 Parade of Homes grand prize in the build-to-rent category.
“Kimaya is positioned to be among the top of the build-to-rent effort. We are at the forefront with over 500 units and have significant momentum,” says Vishaal Gupta, CEO of Kimaya. “We are building across multiple counties and always looking for land.”
The company has 500-plus build-to-rent units available and under construction around Central Florida. This includes 60 units immediately available in Valencia Isle. Plus, the firm’s next venture is Ocoee Village, which will include 232 units and several resort-style amenities.
To learn more about how Kimaya is designing and building award-winning build-to-rent communities, BUILDER spoke with Gupta. See below for more on the company, details on Champions Chase, and his opinion on the best build-to-rent design features.
BUILDER: Why did the company change its name from Park Square Commercial to Kimaya?
Gupta: It was always our plan to launch a separate brand. When we started this arm of the company in 2016, we started with Park Square Commercial because we wanted a differentiator from the residential division. It has always been important to clarify we are two separate companies with two very different areas of focus.
BUILDER: Any meaning behind the new name?
Gupta: Kimaya means "divine" in English. It comes from the deep-rooted values of the Park Square Homes founders and echoes across the commercial brand.
BUILDER: What’s included in the award-winning Champions Chase neighborhood?
Gupta: The community offers three- and four-bedroom townhomes with spacious floor plans ranging from 1,550 to 1,750 square feet, garages, electric vehicle charging, and private patios. All townhomes include smart-home packages, high-speed internet, and Samsung appliances.
It’s also in a prime location, with a dog park, access to restaurants and shops, and located inside the sought-after Champions Gate community, which has proximity to Interstate 4 and Champions Gate Golf Course.
BUILDER: What features made it stand out to the Greater Orlando Builder’s Association?
Gupta: According to the Greater Orlando Builder’s Association, Kimaya’s build-to-rent standouts were: curb appeal, floor plan, kitchen, technology systems, bedrooms, utilities, and outdoor living spaces. We were judged on design, functionality, size, installation, craftsmanship, and quality of materials.
BUILDER: How did Kimaya design these units to appeal to future occupants?
Gupta: Kimaya put tremendous focus on giving residential character to the community with warm, inviting conveniences such as two-car garages and covered patios. We did not cut any corners. These are the exact same floor plans as our for-sale products.
Amenities inside include smart-home packages and wood flooring. Kitchens are modern and have quartz counters, shaker-style cabinets, stainless appliances, and include a washer and dryer. We also offer four-bedroom plans, which is rare, and all units are electric vehicle ready with a 220-volt outlet in the garage.
BUILDER: Who is the target market, and how do the floor plans/features cater to that demographic?
Gupta: The target is similar to that of a three-bedroom apartment. A family or young couple who work from home and need office space. In this case, workforce housing for Amazon, Disney, Universal, and all the nearby employment centers. There is a lack of housing in this corridor; it provides flexibility for people looking for a place to live that feels like a home.
BUILDER: What are the most important items to include in a new build-to-rent home? In the overall community?
Gupta: Making sure it is spacious and has higher-end amenities.
BUILDER: What lessons did the company learn with this neighborhood that it might apply to future communities?
Gupta: Going forward we want to have both townhome and single-floor offerings. This would also appeal to a more mature demo. Especially the rear-covered patios because this feature is very popular with our customers. Most of the units are two-car garages. We are also building out the garages with wall storage. We may build more amenities for residents for larger communities along with more walking trails.
