By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX
The single-family rental community trend is continuing to grow across Arizona with no plans on slowing down anytime soon.
These projects are meant to provide residents with a more single-family feel by being developed horizontally rather than vertically, with detached units, and providing benefits such as private backyards, while still including central amenities.
Thomas Brophy, research director for Colliers International, said in a recent Phoenix Business Journal article dated July 22nd, 2021, that, “There currently are more than 5,300 units now under construction around the region, adding to the 4,800 existing units in metro Phoenix. By the end of 2022, inventory within the [Build-to-Rent] BTR development subset will have doubled.”
Across the West Valley, plans for two new single-family rental communities are making their way through their respective planning departments.
The Village at Liberty Farms – Phoenix
The Empire Group of Companies, with several BTR communities currently under construction in the West Valley including The Village at Pioneer Park in Peoria and The Village at Olive Marketplace in Glendale, is looking to build a 153-unit build-to-rent development at the NEC of 51st and Southern Avenues in Phoenix called The Village at Liberty Farms.
The City of Phoenix heard a request to rezone the 15.43-acre property from Ranch or Farm Residence District to Multifamily Residence District at its August 9th Laveen Village Planning Committee meeting. The request was recommended for approval.
The Village at Liberty Farms will include 64 one-, 70 two- and 19 three-bedroom units across multiple, single-story buildings scattered throughout the site. “The building elevations depict two building façade variations for each of the three residential building types, in addition to the community center, leasing office and garage buildings,” according to the project documents. The design includes various window sizes, front patios and pitched roofs.
Community amenities provided include a pool, clubhouse, two picnic areas with barbeques and seating/lounge areas.
While the residential units will be located along the perimeter of the site, approximately 294 parking spaces and open space will be added to the interior. The main entry into the development will be from 51st Avenue with a secondary entry along Southern Avenue.
The project is anticipated to be heard at the September 2nd Phoenix Planning Commission meeting and then at City Council on October 6th. According to Empire Group, construction is expected to start in February 2022.
The Empire Group of Companies is the developer, Felten Group is the design firm and Lifestyle Homes is the general contractor.
Verrado Marketside – Buckeye
Scottsdale-based apartment developer, P.B. Bell Companies, recently broke into the BTR space and is looking to develop Verrado Marketside, a new 150-unit single-family-for-rent community on 16.19 net acres at the SEC of McDowell Road and 215th Avenue in Buckeye.
Verrado Marketside is proposed to include 43 one-, 82 two- and 25 three-bedroom bungalow-style rental units. According to the project documents, each unit has a front porch and a backyard patio with six-foot vinyl fencing, as well as one covered parking space in the form of a carport or attached garage.
“The development concept is based upon a walkable ‘Paseo’ through the middle of the site to allow residents a direct pedestrian connection to the clubhouse, fitness center, main pool area and the secondary open space area,” the documents state.
Access to the site will be from McDowell Road at the northeast corner, with secondary access at the southeast corner. Approximately 328 parking spaces will be provided throughout the property.
The City of Buckeye recently heard a request for site plan approval at its August 24th Planning and Zoning Commission. The project still needs to go to City Council for approval.
