How Site Adapting is Tackling the Affordable Rental Crisis
Addressing demand for affordable communities for middle-income renters is more critical than ever. Rising inflation and increasing interest rates have made homeownership less attainable, leading more people to rent or extend their rental periods. Workforce housing developments, positioned between low-income options and luxury, high-end apartments, play a vital role in filling this affordability gap.
Stellar Development Company, based in Lubbock, Texas, recognized the demand for affordable living options. They partnered with REES to develop 19West, a series of high-quality rentals on the west side of Lubbock. The bungalow-style apartments offer modern amenities and comfort at a price point accessible to a broader range of residents. After designing this successful community, Stellar began implementing their prototype in other cities across Texas. The design adjusts to meet unique local and regional contexts, ensuring each project fits its surroundings.
Stellar knew the impact this development strategy would have from the beginning. Not only are they tackling the gap for market-balanced rental options, but they are also setting a benchmark for other developers interested in the process. This strategic approach to site adaptation can create an efficient and scalable model, offering multifamily developers’ significant benefits in both the design and execution of projects.
Stellar’s Site-Adaptive Design
Stellar’s communities maintain a consistent core design across their projects, offering a range of options to fit residents’ needs. One-, two- and three-bedroom layouts range from 650 to 1,150 square feet. Units feature open floor plans with high ceilings, modern finishes, contemporary wood-style flooring and small, private backyards. Residents also enjoy thoughtfully designed amenities such as a clubhouse, pool with cabana seating, fitness center and more. By utilizing a standardized design template, Stellar ensures scalability and adaptability without compromising architectural quality. This streamlined approach facilitates the expansion of these communities into new areas, opening the process for rapid growth.
A Look into Our Process
Before designing each community, REES-designers assess the site’s viability through a comprehensive planning phase. This involves site planning, feasibility studies, test fits and pricing assessments to determine the project’s potential. The team collaborates closely with Stellar to explore multiple layouts and address site-specific challenges such as terrain, drainage, existing infrastructure and surrounding developments. Leveraging the design prototype allows developers to save on design costs, meaning those resources could be reallocated to other critical areas of construction. This approach ensures high-quality products capitalize the market’s demand for affordable housing.
(Left): Site plan of Virtu on Azalea in Temple, Texas. (Right): Site plan of a community currently under construction in Waco, Texas. At this site, the buildings were shifted to accommodate an easement running through the middle of the complex.
Adapting to Environmental Needs
An advantage to site-adaptive design is the flexibility to adjust the project towards different demographics and climates. REES designers tailor each site to specific market needs, ensuring the community aligns with the local and regional contexts. One notable variation in each project is the unit count—this way, the community adapts to the site’s overall size. For example, Stellar’s developments in Lubbock and Abilene accommodate just over 220 units, while Waco will reach 250. The communities also address site-specific challenges, such as shifting building layouts to avoid gas lines in Waco or incorporating drainage-friendly features to mitigate rainfall issues in Temple. Resident feedback has also influenced project modifications, such as expanding the closet sizes and refining door designs for weather durability. This adaptable design process meets the needs of diverse tenant bases, offering flexibility and a market-responsive approach.
Stellar Development Company’s projects demonstrate how adaptable design can create scalable, cost-effective and community-focused housing solutions. By using a standard design and then tailoring each project to its unique context with this model, multifamily developers can efficiently meet market demands, reduce costs and deliver high-quality living environments that benefit residents and local communities alike.
To see other examples of our multifamily projects, click here.