SAN DIEGO, CA - In just 10 weeks, the progressive new Solterra EcoLuxury Apartments developed by H.G. Fenton Company in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego has achieved full occupancy. During construction, the priority reservation list grew quickly for the 114-unit apartment community, which has earned national acclaim for being the first in San Diego County to provide residents with the solar generated power they need for daily living.
"Our residents tell us they are excited to live in a community that is 100 percent photovoltaic and gives them the tools they need to monitor and manage their energy usage on a real-time basis," said Carroll Whaler, H.G. Fenton Company's executive vice president of residential asset management. "We designed Solterra with our customers' needs and wants in mind, and this included offering leading edge sustainable features along with luxury amenities to enhance their daily living experience."
Located at the intersection of Scripps Ranch Boulevard and Erma Road, Solterra introduces a new generation of smart technology features that integrate seamlessly with the project's edgy, amenity-driven design.
Solterra is the first project in the nation to give residents instant access to their energy consumption usage via their smart devices, according to SDG&E. In-home displays let residents easily monitor their kilowatt usage and based on lifestyle, have the solar system generate the power they use. Nest thermostats let residents control the temperature from anywhere, anytime, and other conveniences include garages that are pre-wired for electric vehicle charging stations.
Solterra surpasses California's 2013 building energy efficiency standards (Title 24) by 19 percent. Other interior energy-saving features include GE Energy Star Stainless Steel Appliances and GE Energy Efficient front-loading washers and dryers. Community common areas are also fully solar-powered and utilize drought tolerant landscaping and drip water smart irrigation.
"It is important to us to provide our residents with innovative, eco-friendly living environments that preserve valuable resources and help reduce their electricity utility bills," said Whaler. "We are delighted with the enthusiastic reception Solterra has received and look forward to serving our new residents with the high level of service H.G. Fenton Company is known for."
Solterra's focal point is a hip and inviting 3,200-square-foot Club Room, the heart of which is an expansive restaurant-style bar and professional culinary kitchen for social gatherings and events. There also is a Sports Club with cardio stations, personal television screen monitors, iPod docks and free weights; a gaming center with Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStations and billiards; a 24/7 Cyber café and lounge equipped with wireless printing, faxing and scanning capabilities; and a private stand-up tanning salon.
The Club Room overlooks Solterra's luxury resort-style pool area that features a refreshing salt-water pool and spa, spacious sundeck, private outdoor cabanas offering towel service and built-in HDTVs, and a BBQ and fire pit lounge area.
A landscaped pedestrian paseo spans the entire community, culminating on the south side at a spectacular 4,000-square-foot observation deck with panoramic city and countryside views, conversation seating areas, a BBQ and free Wi-Fi.
Solterra features a mix of luxuriously appointed one- and two-bedroom floor plans offering 741 to 1,127 square feet. Residents enjoy modern upscale finishes, thoughtfully planned layouts for easy living and entertaining, flat screen TV hookups, and adjoining decks or patios.
Solterra was designed by Architects Orange of Orange County. Home Energy Systems of San Diego designed the solar system, and the general contractor was Ledcor Construction Group.