NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA - Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC, a leading provider of property management, development and related real estate services for the multifamily, military, and student housing markets, in partnership with Hensel Phelps Construction Company, has successfully completed the Initial Development Period for new and renovated family housing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, located along the central coast of California. Under the privatized family housing project, more than 500 older housing units were demolished, more than 160 new homes were constructed, and an additional 700 homes were renovated at the base. Balfour Beatty Communities also provides comprehensive property management and maintenance services for all Vandenberg AFB family housing.
Total construction and renovation costs on the project amounted to $158M, with close to 80% of that cost funneling back into the community through the use of local subcontractors and the procurement of local building supplies and other materials. The construction and renovation of military housing at Vandenberg AFB completes a six-year initial development period that launched in 2007 and brings the total number of homes managed and maintained by Balfour Beatty Communities at Vandenberg AFB to just under 1,000.
More than $6.5M in community amenities was also developed as part of the project, including a 6,200 square foot community center featuring a pool, fitness center and multi-purpose rooms, as well as a 2,400 square foot maintenance facility. Balfour Beatty Communities’ development activities also included numerous parks and athletic facilities, bus shelters, perimeter fencing and significant enhancements to infrastructure, landscaping and lighting throughout the housing areas.
Particular attention was paid to the sustainability and energy efficiency of the development project at Vandenberg AFB. Both in the new construction and renovation activities, the teams worked to divert most materials away from landfills through reuse and recycling programs. Energy efficient and environmentally friendly features were utilized throughout, including low voltage lighting, tankless hot water systems, Energy Star appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, high efficiency furnaces, and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) construction materials. Xeriscape landscaping techniques were also used, including native plants and non-irrigated turf seed to ensure water conservation for years to come.
“We are very proud of the significantly enhanced housing options and community amenities now available to the Airmen and their families who call Vandenberg home,” said Chris Williams, President, Balfour Beatty Communities. “This is a special project that would not have been possible without the hard work, coordination and dedication of many talented individuals.”
Balfour Beatty Communities, LLC is a diversified real estate services company delivering development, design, financing, construction, renovation, property and facilities management services in the multifamily, student and military housing sectors. A leader in the industry, Balfour Beatty Communities has more than 37,000 residential units and $5.5 billion in real estate assets under management and has developed or renovated more than 27,000 units with a total value of close to $4 billion. Headquartered outside Philadelphia, PA, Balfour Beatty Communities has more than 1,100 employees and is a subsidiary of Balfour Beatty Investments, Inc.