With finishing touches under way on the new Aquatera apartment community in Mission Valley, CA, this stylish, urban setting combines edgy, lavish amenities with numerous eco-friendly features. The result is a one-of-a-kind place to live in San Diego, and a new standard for this type of development.
The concept for the 254-unit Aquatera community was created by HG Fenton Co. to provide residents with virtually every amenity they could want – right at home. Aquatera’s focal point is a 2-story, 10,300-square-foot clubhouse that overlooks the spectacular 25-meter, salt-water pool and surrounding deck area, complete with separate elevated spa, cabanas, towel service, fire pit with conversation area, barbecue islands, and refreshing water features.
In keeping with its commitment to develop responsibly, the company incorporated a plethora of water- and energy-saving features that conserve resources, enhance the livability of the project, and help save residents money on their utility costs. The project’s location near key shopping, dining, and employment centers, and less than 1 mile from the Trolley, adds to its urban appeal and convenience.
“Through a series of focus groups, we asked San Diego renters what they would want in a community designed specifically [for] their needs,” says Mike Neal, president and CEO at HG Fenton Co. “We listened to what they said, and then challenged our entire development team to create a community that would include the lifestyle features and hip ambience that residents are wishing for, along with conservation and responsible development practices. The result is an edgy new community where residents can literally immerse themselves in luxury.”
The Aquatera clubhouse is a place for residents to unwind, connect with friends, or work out. Features include a sports club with state-of-the-art weight and cardio stations, free weights, and personal television monitors. The club room offers three flat-screen TVs for use with provided Nintendo® Wii and Sony® Playstations, and a pool table. Other features include a cyber café, a beverage bar, a professional chef’s kitchen and adjoining entertainment area, and relaxing deck areas.
The one-, two-, or three -bedroom floorplans range from 729 square feet to 1,394 square feet, and feature appointments typically found in luxury penthouses. Granite countertops, hardwood cherry cabinets, fully equipped kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, decorative niches, and track lighting are included in every plan. Laundries with full-size, front-loading washer-dryers, ceramic tile entry ways, 9-foot ceilings, private patios or balconies, and central air-conditioning are all also included. Most homes include a private single-car garage, some plans with direct access. All residences are pre-wired for high-speed Internet connection, and every home includes an intrusion alarm.
Aquatera residents who drive electric vehicles will enjoy the convenience of an electric vehicle charging station onsite. A 216kW photovoltaic solar energy system supplies 90 percent of the electricity for all common areas and amenities. Solar energy also heats the 25-meter salt-water pool. The use of solar shades in the club room, and dual-glazed, low-E vinyl windows in all buildings, reduce heat gain and loss, lowering utility bills. High-efficiency laundries further reduce utility costs.
A well fed by underground aquifers serves Aquatera’s numerous water elements. The use of synthetic turf in lieu of grass, along with smart irrigation, including onsite weather stations to maximize water efficiency, are just a few of the project’s water-conserving features. To ensure the project’s lush appearance during times of drought, landscaping incorporates native California or Mediterranean plans that require low supplemental watering. The hillside has been replanted with indigenous plant material that will require no irrigation once it’s established.
The response to Aquatera has been overwhelmingly positive, with its lengthy interest list now being quickly converted to reservations by the newly opened leasing office as residents seek to lock in their unit of choice.
“With Aquatera, residents no longer have to imagine a place they will be excited to home to unwind in at the end of the day – it’s all been created for them,” says Neal. “By combining the highest caliber of amenities, along with quality design and construction, environmentally sensitive features, and HG Fenton Co.’s high level of management service, Aquatera will be a community that residents will be proud to call home.”
