Mark Catches Multifamily Fever

This morning,we held an Economic & Real Estate Forecast at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. Expect full coverage to come, but we already know what one speaker brings to the table: the ability to teach us to fish...and plan multifamily buildings.

MW Steele Group president Mark Steele shows offa trout he caught at Jackson Hole. His firm is known for its planning work--both master and city, but it also performs a lot of architectural work, and a good portion of that is in multifamily-- including affordable, seniors, and condos, as well as university and religious facilities. What's next for the firm, he says, are two large apartment rehab projects for AIMCO. On the planning side, MW Steele just wrapped up a General Plan update for the City of Fresno.(The trout could not be reached for comment.)

MW Steele recently finished two affordable housing projects: the 31-unit City Scene (above) for Affirmed Housing, and the 83-unit Kalos for Community Housing Works. Mark's also involved with the San Diego Public Market, which his wife Dale co-founded. The 12-year project came to fruition last fall with a two-day-a-week farmers market, and now is in design, permitting, and financing for a permanent public market (like Seattle's Pike Place) that will be open six days a week. (Finally, some access to decent kumquats.) Mark says the 91k SF facility will boast educational and healthy food components with a community farm and kitchens, classrooms, and special events. "It's something that San Diego has never had."