Riaz Capital’s Post

Exploring the Cottage Court Solution Cottage Court developments are gaining attention as a key solution to address the housing crisis. These thoughtfully designed communities provide compact, high-quality living spaces while fostering a sense of connection and belonging. Why is Cottage Court such a game-changer? - Community-Friendly: Integrates seamlessly into neighborhoods, offering more housing at a reasonable scale. - Appealing Design: Balances compact living with the charm and privacy of single-family homes. - Developer-Approved: Aligns with familiar construction methods, making it an accessible choice for builders. As cities and counties look for innovative ways to expand housing options, Cottage Courts represent a promising step toward more inclusive, sustainable neighborhoods. How do you see Cottage Court developments fitting into your community’s future? Source: https://lnkd.in/ghcG4jeK . . . #premiumpropertytrust #birminghamalabama #bhamal #realestateinvesting #realestate #architecture #pptreit #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestmenttrust #buildinggenerationalwealth #mixedused #newurbanism #generationalwealth #investing #reit #ppt #verticalintegration #premiumbydesign

Transforming bustling streets into vibrant community spaces requires innovative design solutions. Isett’s Landscape Architecture Department took on the redesign of major roadways within two boroughs with equal but unique challenges. 1️⃣ Main Street Makeover in Macungie: A streetscape plan for the borough’s Main Street has been a long-time priority for the Borough. Navigating the daily vehicular traffic of State Route 100 (Main Street), posed safety and accessibility challenges for pedestrians. The Isett Team devised a comprehensive redesign, introducing stormwater bump out, ornamental LED lighting and ADA ramp. The result is reduced crossing times, enhanced stormwater quality, and a more inviting downtown for businesses and residents alike. 2️⃣ Enhancing Walkability in Hellertown: With Hellertown’s diverse downtown business mix, its newly invigorated parks, and the ever-increasing popularity of the Saucon Rail Trail (SRT), people wanted to explore the community more by foot and bike. One obstacle to walkability remained: the Borough’s Main Street also happens to be State Route (SR) 412, a popular local highway which sees 13,000 to 20,000 vehicles a day. Isett’s Walkability and Smart Transportation Plan revolutionized the area, introducing rapid flasher lights, decorative crosswalks, and ADA ramps. With new and improved connections, residents and visitors can now explore the community safely. #thisislandscapearchitecture #WLAM2024 #designsolution #streetscapedesign

🏗️ Exciting news for Edgewater! The 28-story tower, Metro Edgewater 2, has now entered the construction permitting phase. This development is set to make a significant impact on the skyline of Miami. 🏙️ As the plans for this ambitious project progress, it's clear that Edgewater is poised for a major transformation. With 104 multi-family rental units, 58 lodging units, and office space, the community is in for a positive change. 📈 This new development signals a growing trend in urban revitalization efforts in Miami. The addition of modern living spaces and commercial areas will offer residents and visitors a dynamic and vibrant environment to thrive in. 👷♂️ With construction set to begin soon, we can anticipate a boost in job opportunities and economic growth in the region. The creation of new residential and commercial spaces will further enhance the appeal of Edgewater as a desirable neighborhood to live and work. 🔮 Looking ahead, Metro Edgewater 2 is not just a building—it represents the future of urban development in Miami. Its innovative design and mix of residential and commercial amenities are a testament to the city's evolution and continued growth. 🏢 Keep an eye on this development as it progresses; it's a clear sign of the exciting potential that lies ahead for Edgewater and Miami as a whole. Let's watch as this tower shapes the landscape and sets a new benchmark for urban architecture in the city.

The 28 Austin Street project in Newton, MA, is a transformative mixed-use development that revitalized a crumbling municipal parking lot into a vibrant urban hub. The four-story, 82,000-square-foot building features 68 mixed-income apartments, including 23 affordable units, alongside amenities such as a hotel-like lobby, a fitness center, a guest suite, a rooftop terrace, and a dog park. Its ground floor houses 5,000 square feet of retail space, including Caffè Nero and Henry Bear's Park, while outdoor enhancements include a landscaped public plaza and playground. The project replaced all 123 public parking spaces at ground level and added a 90-space underground garage with bicycle storage for residents. Sustainability was a priority, with energy-efficient systems, EnergyStar appliances, and rooftop solar panels covering up to 50% of the building's electricity needs. Located near public transit, major retailers, and downtown Boston, 28 Austin Street exemplifies eco-friendly urban design, fostering community connection and economic growth. Bridgeline Exteriors is proud to have contributed to this transformative development, which prioritizes #sustainability, inclusivity, and quality living, setting a benchmark for modern #urban revitalization. Developer: Dinosaur Capital Partners General Contractor: NEI General Contracting Architects: Stantec Architecture #UrbanDesign #SustainableLiving #AffordableHousing #CommunityGrowth #MixedUseDevelopment #GreenConstruction #ArchitecturalInnovation #ConstructionExcellence #BuildingTheFuture #NewtonMA #BridgelineExteriors #FacadeExperts #EcoFriendlyDesign #PublicSpaces #UrbanRevitalization

We were happy to sign a letter to The Times last week warning The Labour Party against housebuilding visions overly-focused on style, along with colleagues at Proctor & Matthews Architects, HTA Design LLP, PRP and Levitt Bernstein. As writer and critic (and former housing manager and educator) Jane Darke reminded us during our housing conference day last September (https://lnkd.in/dq75MB9T), her research showed that for residents – ‘the appearance does not have to be traditional. The case studies show that brickwork is not automatically popular: what is liked is lightness and brightness. Monotony is disliked. A pleasant outlook—open spaces, greenery, trees—is also important.’   With this in mind we’ve just published our latest sector guide – on rural and suburban housing – featuring future-proofed, connected homes in a range of projects from new settlements on the edge of small towns to finely calibrated townscapes set within historic suburbs. Their design and appearance is, of course, inspired by tradition and local character, but the overall look is contemporary. If you can win planning permission in Woodstock, West Oxfordshire, as we have, for a new settlement featuring fabric-first, Passivhaus-standard homes, there’s a simple takeaway to be had: Style wars are a massive distraction. If you'd like to know more about our rural and suburban housing work please take a look at our sector guide and get in touch with Kaye Stout or Alexis Butterfield. Sector guide: https://lnkd.in/dAPi2-KU #ruralhousing #suburbanhousing #distinctivelylocal #stylewars

We're in the final stages of construction turning a council-owned disused garage plot in Bristol into affordable housing, using the innovative Gap House concept. Our Bristol Director Matt Cooper said: "The Gap House design is a thoughtful way to bring back to life disused urban spaces, & could contribute to addressing the housing crisis & improving local communities. Over Beard's 135-year history, we've been involved in many residential projects, but none quite like this. Working with factory-made panels & within the limits of a small site has presented challenges that the team has embraced. It's been exciting to apply the innovative new methods to create sustainable, contemporary & affordable homes in the city." Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eHE6MbNg #beardconstruction #buildwithambition 📷 Image credit: BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd)

A preliminary proposal from #OpalArchitecture for a #mixedusedevelopment I put together last year for a site in East Parramatta. Located on the Stage 1 lightrail route with direct connection to #MetroWest, easy access across the new Albert St pedestrian bridge (a short walk across the river to #UWS Campus) and set within a burgeoning catchment area surrounded by schools, parks and recreational areas, hertiage precincts, established housing and the commercial and retail activity of the #Parramatta CBD. Currently zoned INI Light Industrial; the amalgamated triangular site would require a Planning Proposal to rezone to B4 Mixed Use zoning. The proposal would satisfy the intended objectives of the zone as outlined in both the #ParramattaLocalEnvironmentPlan2023 and #SEPPHousing2021 incorporating Co-Living housing and Independent Living Units and SEPP (Precincts-Central River City) in addition to relevant and applicable Acts, Regulations, Policies and Standards. Of the proposed 502 new dwellings; there is a diverse mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments avaialble for either purchase or rent. Up to 35% would be #affordablehousing and #socialhousing. The development would include retail and office facilities as well as a community (day-care) centre. As the current housing crisis intensifies with higher demand for living spaces not being met with adequate supply, it's time to push on with larger and more bolder visions to deliver what people desperately need. #nswhousing #metrowest #parramatta #lightrail #majorprojects #productivity #architecture #masterplanning #urbandesign #westernsydney #opalarchitecture #liveablecities https://lnkd.in/g--Ai67b

Big news from Southlake City Council! 🏡✨ The council recently approved design plans for a new mixed-use development at 240 North Carroll Ave. This 9.6-acre project combines residential and office spaces, bringing together modern living and professional amenities in one thoughtfully planned community. Key Highlights: 1️⃣ Residential Area – Willow Tree Gardens: 14 villas and 6 larger lots designed with community and aesthetics in mind. Features include two scenic ponds, a cul-de-sac, sidewalks open to neighbors, and gated access for privacy. 2️⃣ Commercial Component – The Overlook: A two-story, 23,000-square-foot office building on 1.98 acres, setting the tone for a cohesive mixed-use space. What This Means for Southlake: This development reflects Southlake's strategic approach to balancing residential growth with commercial opportunity. By approving the second alternative design option, the council is fostering a blend of urban convenience with suburban tranquility. While some community members from neighboring Foxborough and Southview Estates expressed concerns, the developers and council incorporated several adjustments, such as: Limiting the residential area to 20 properties. Adding resident-only gate access and a full masonry wall for privacy and harmony with existing neighbourhoods. This project represents a growing trend in transitional zoning, where mixed-use developments meet evolving community needs. Such projects can enhance local property values, create economic opportunities, and attract professionals seeking live-work environments. However, balancing development with community concerns remains crucial for sustainable growth. #Southlake #UrbanDevelopment #MixedUseRealEstate #CommunityGrowth #RealEstateTrends

We’re excited to see Hobsons Bay City Council has released the Forest Street Pop-Up Place Idea for consultation. This initiative is part of the 'Better Places Spotswood and South Kingsville' program that aims to provide a more holistic and integrated approach to thinking about and designing for future-looking change into the future in these neighbourhoods and actively involving the community in the process of shaping the places they live in. Our urban design, landscape architecture and transport teams were proud to contribute to the program, preparing two Spotswood projects ‒ the 'Streets for People’ and 'Hudsons Road Streetscape Masterplan’ ‒ in which we envisioned Forest Street and Hudsons Road intersection as a central gathering public open space for the community. The Forest Street Pop-Up Place Idea showcases tactical urbanism which not only creates a better community, sense of belonging and, engaged neighbourhood, but also tests how the community might use this space and how this potential transformation may succeed with more permanent features. Whether there is a full or partial road closure for vehicles, bench areas, or more vegetation, tactical urbanism allows councils to test features before making big decisions for urban infrastructure improvements. If you're interested in participating in Spotswood's future and want to play a part in its evolution, we invite you to visit the website here > https://ow.ly/W58250T4Fwj Ariel Utz & Ben Krastins #ratio #fosteringchange #urbandesign #spotswood #tacticalurbanism #transportplanning

Turning a former garbage dump into a thriving riverside community, South Main in Buena Vista, Colorado, is a stunning example of transformation and vision. Inspired by its breathtaking surroundings, this New Urbanist neighborhood reconnects the town to the Arkansas River, creating a vibrant and walkable space for residents and visitors alike. The heart of South Main is its central square, surrounded by mixed-use buildings, local businesses, and gathering spaces that bring people together. Streets are designed with care, offering mountain and river views while maintaining a human scale that encourages walking and biking. With public access to the river, pedestrian-friendly design, and architecture that honors local character, South Main feels like a natural extension of the town. From the climbing rock in the square to the whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, it’s a place where outdoor adventure meets community connection. This is more than a neighborhood—it’s a celebration of nature, design, and the people who call it home. Source: https://loom.ly/gC1W7SI . . . #premiumpropertytrust #birminghamalabama #bhamal #realestateinvesting #realestate #architecture #pptreit #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestmenttrust #buildinggenerationalwealth #mixedused #newurbanism #generationalwealth #investing #reit #ppt #verticalintegration #premiumbydesign