Optima, a developer based in the dry climate of Arizona no less, has come up with a vertical planting system that has self-contained irrigation and drainage so plants can grow up and over the side of the building. This provides a natural shading system while also creating cleaner air and decreasing the excessive temperatures so common to Arizona. Vertical gardens are one part of their overall greening initiative which aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Read the full feature on Forbes
Earlier this year, rental housing economist and consultant Jay Parsons parsed renter data released by multifamily REITs and found income levels rivaling those of middle-class homeowners—Equity Residential reported typical renter income of $169,000; Essex Property Trust, $131,000; and Camden Property Trust, $120,000—and rent-to-income ratios ranging from 19% to 22%.
This data proves that developers and policymakers need to update their perceptions about who today’s renters are and why they rent, Parsons says. “The bottom line is that there are a lot of people who are making good incomes and want to be renters.”
The Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies found that the number of renter households with incomes of $75,000 or more has risen 43%, to 13.5 million, since 2010. The number of affluent renters is also growing in 35 of the 50 most populous U.S. metros, according to a Redfin analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau, MLS, and county records. In San Jose, California, and Orlando, Florida, about 11% of renters are wealthy; in New York and Seattle, approximately 10% are, the analysis found.
Jessica Perri, marketing director for residential property developer and manager Habitat, says the assumption that people see renting primarily as a transitional phase before homeownership has shifted. More residents are choosing to rent long term because it better aligns with their financial goals, lifestyle, and desire for flexibility, she says.
“This shift has challenged us to think beyond traditional property management and to create communities where renters can truly put down roots, build connections, and feel invested in where they live,” Perri says.
Optima president David Hovey says renters by choice are drawn as much by a sense of community as they are to concierge support, in-home package delivery, and private chefs. Optima is meeting those needs with things like expansive residents’ clubs, rooftop decks, and reservable guest suites.
“For many, what begins as a practical and often temporary decision to rent evolves into a long-term lifestyle preference,” Hovey says.
Read more on Multifamily Executive
Imagine living in a private, beautifully designed community that feels as if it’s been created to fit your every need, providing all the convenient daily services and recreational amenities you could ever want and need. Instead of spending your busy day traveling between the coffee shop, the local gym, and a variety of other errands, you’ll be able to get everything done without ever leaving Optima Sonoran Village.
Optima Sonoran Village is surrounded by Scottsdale’s best shopping, restaurants, culture, arts, and nightlife. Everything within easy reach! When you’re ready to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll be welcomed home with lush landscaping, sweeping views, thoughtfully designed spaces, and unmatched community amenities.
Residents at our rental community know that contrary to popular belief, you really can have it all – and it’s all waiting for you here. View our luxury one-bedroom floorplans, two-bedroom luxury apartments, three-bedroom floorplans, and luxury studio apartments that are all designed with large outdoor living spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing gorgeous views. Each apartment includes stainless steel appliances, including a washer and dryer, as well as granite countertops, a modern design, and indoor garage parking.
The new tower at Optima Sonoran Village is the final addition to our community, offering the best in upscale residences and high-end apartment amenities in Scottsdale. Every detail has been considered in the design of this luxury tower, redefining the concept of luxury apartment living. This exclusive tower consists of large, contemporary homes that feature extensive outdoor living areas, going above and beyond the traditional balcony. First-floor units have spacious patio areas and landscaped yards, providing residents with an incredible amount of outdoor space to enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather.
Read the full feature on Phoenix New Times
Visit Optima Sonoran Village for more details
Whether using a third-party designer or acting as the architect for your own projects, it’s important to have a vision for your community and what elements you want to utilize. This includes materials, structures, floor plans and multipurpose furniture or elements.
Optima Inc. has been incorporating biophilic design within its communities for more than four decades, starting with the use of green roofs, courtyards and gardens back in the ’80s. It eventually launched its own vertical landscaping system 15 years ago at Optima Camelview Village, a property located in Scottsdale, Ariz.
“This system helps enhance the natural beauty of our projects by allowing a palette of vibrantly colored plants to grow up and over the edge of each private terrace on every floor of the building,” explained David Hovey Jr., president & COO.
Read the full feature on MHN
Visit Optima Kierland Apartments, Optima Sonoran Village and Optima Signature for more details
For those who live in urban centers, navigating life during COVID-19 has meant rethinking use of green spaces. Pre-COVID, the local park, courtyard or well-designed backyard may have been a nice-to-have amenity, but the pandemic brought to light the importance of accessible green spaces for both physical and emotional wellbeing. From socially distant picnics and playdates to outdoor fitness classes and leisurely walk-and-talks, green spaces have become an essential antidote to isolation, with many city dwellers rediscovering the joys of moving leisure activities outside.
Read the full feature on Forbes
As cities around the country move toward more sustainable practices, the city of Scottsdale is gearing up with its own efforts.
From the city’s Green Building Program to the potential electrification of the city’s vehicle fleet, a greener Scottsdale could be in full bloom within the next few years.
Optima Sonoran Village in Scottsdale is one of a growing number of “green” buildings the city is encouraging for development.
Scottdale officials are putting more effort into their sustainable efforts, both within the city and encouraging developers to do more.
Visit Optima Sonoran Village for more details
For years, we’ve seen the race to reach renters often start with a building’s amenity package and the bigger is better mentality, whether it was a pool, a fitness center or, most recently, coworking space.
But living through a pandemic has given everyone a different perspective on amenities. It’s been interesting to see that the things we took for granted, like natural light and outdoor space, have become—and will continue to be—the most important amenities of all.
While many developments made connecting people and nature within built environments and communities a hallmark in recent years, what’s new in 2021 is a heightened demand for direct access to sunlight and fresh air that blends the outdoors and indoors in refreshing ways.
Going forward, we believe design will flow from a need to create environments where renters find inspiration in their natural surroundings while also benefiting from the tangible health benefits that natural light and outdoor space offer.
Read more on Multi-Housing News
High-rise apartments are getting more in touch with nature. Living on the 40th or 45th floor, for example, can make tenants feel far away from it—and since the pandemic, apartment dwellers are craving closer ties to greenery. In response, more plants are coming to rooftops, lobbies, and balconies.
Optima Inc. has been adding biophilic design principles to its communities for more than 40 years. It has been offering green roofs, courtyards, and gardens. A vertical landscaping system is on display at its Optima Camelview Village in Scottsdale, Ariz. Several colorful plants grow up and over the ledge of private terraces on each floor of the building.
“This system helps enhance the natural beauty of our projects by allowing a palette of vibrantly colored plants to grow up and over the edge of each private terrace on every floor of the building,” David Hovey Jr., president and COO of Optima Inc., told Multi-Housing News earlier this year.
Read more on REALTOR Magazine
Optima, a leading, design-driven multifamily developer, has been awarded top honors from the esteemed American Architecture Awards in the multi-housing development category for Optima Kierland Center and Optima Sonoran Village.
The American Architecture Awards are the country’s highest public recognition for architectural design excellence given by a non-commercial, non-trade affiliated public arts, culture and educational institution.
“Innovation and design excellence are at our core at Optima and to have two of our projects be recognized by the prestigious American Architecture Awards is a true honor,” said David Hovey Jr., president, of Optima.
Since 1994, The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press, have organized The American Architecture Awards as away to honor the best, new significant buildings and landscape and planning projects designed and/or built in the United States and abroad by the most important american architects and planners practicing nationally and internationally.
Optima has designed, developed and built some of the most architecturally significant communities in Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Chicago metropolitan areas for more than 40 years. Designed by David Hovey Sr., FAIA and David Hovey Jr., AIA, Optima’s cutting-edge, residential buildings have long been recognized for the company’s commitment to design, innovation and sustainability.
