Type 1-2-3: Which Condo Type Is Right For Me?

We are happy to announce that framing has started for The Guild on 30th! Neighborhood residents and potential buyers alike are excited about San Diego’s newest type 3 condo development. It’s fantastic to watch The Guild being built because it is a type 3 Condo, which offers some significant advantages over traditional condos.

According to the President of McNamara Ventures and developer of The Guild on 30th, Keegan McNamara, a primary benefit of this type 3 condo is that “Instead of owning paint-to-paint, like a typical condo, The Guild homeowners will own their land, their lot, their building exteriors, and roofs.”

So what does that mean?

Type I is the typical arrangement, where the building and grounds are defined as one large common area. The buyer owns the interior space of his unit, while a homeowner association is created to own and maintain the entire common area.

Type II condominiums extend the purchaser's ownership beyond the interior air space of his unit to include exterior structural elements such as the roof, stucco, plumbing, etc., with the homeowner association owning and maintaining common areas such as swimming pools, walks, landscaping, etc.

Type III condos are unique because the buyer owns everything between his property or unit lines, including the ground, the building, the driveway, the landscaping, etc. That’s right.  YOU own the land, too.  Type 3 condo projects combine the privacy and control of a single-family home and the accessible pricing and modern conveniences of a condo.

The Guild on 30th

Offering the traditional appearance of fashionable row homes, The Guild on 30th units will all be structurally independent. “Each foundation is separate, although interconnected, vs. a traditional mono-slab pour,” said McNamara. McNamara also describes these homes as having  “a 7” airspace gap between the units, each stand-alone townhome will have its own roof, garage, yard, walks, landscaping, irrigation, lighting, and more.”

Unlike a “typical” condo, The Guild features independent structures.  This photo shows how each foundation is separate but inter-connected. When completed, the homes will appear to be a single contiguous building, but will have a 7” airspace gap in-between, with structurally divided walls, which means no shared walls with your neighbor!

This also allows the HOA dues to be kept at a minimum.

The Guild on 30th is designed as a welcoming urban retreat that offers the best of Golden Hill, with a building that infuses a sense of history and place. With sweeping views of the Bay, The Guild on 30th features 1 & 2 bedroom town homes ranging from 899-1195 square feet and is slated for completion in winter of 2016.  Homebuyers are encouraged to register to secure their interest in one of these new homes at The Guild. For more information click here or, to schedule a tour, contact The Guild Sales Team at 619.784.8453 or sales@guildon30th.com.  

About the Guild on 30th

The Guild is being developed as a Joint Venture between McNamara Ventures (www.mcnamaraventures.com) and Agora Partners (www.agorapartners.com).  Keegan McNamara, Principal of McNamara Ventures, is passionate about urban infill and the tenets of Smart Growth (www.smartgrowth.org) and is focused on developing small-scale, high density, residential and mixed use projects in San Diego County.  Keegan McNamara and Howard Kozloff, the Principal at Agora Partners, met through the Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) and have formed a close partnership.  Howard is based in Los Angeles, and is a principal and investor in other urban infill projects throughout the country.

All That Golden Hill Has to Offer

The Guild on 30th Offers Well-Designed New Housing Near Downtown

To anyone living in “America’s Finest City,” it comes as no surprise that San Diego ranks second on Bloomberg’s annual list of “Best Cities to Work and Live.” As California's second-largest city, San Diego has 70 miles of beaches, a world-famous zoo, major scientific research institutions, and that perfect SoCal weather. Each of San Diego’s bustling neighborhoods has its own unique character. The historic neighborhood of Golden Hill, near downtown, is currently one of the hottest neighborhoods in San Diego with a younger demographic and buzzing music scene. Golden Hill has been a great place to live for over 100 years. Back then, it boasted spectacular views, a short streetcar ride to downtown, and was the premier neighborhood for San Diego’s elite.

Location, Location, Location

Located directly south of the expansive Balboa Park, just east of the 5 freeway, and north of the 94, today’s Golden Hill is a vibrant neighborhood that offers incredible views of Downtown, Coronado, and stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Golden Hill is known for its walkability to top restaurants, breweries, museums, hiking trails, and even the San Diego Zoo. With so many easily accessible amenities, it’s no wonder that the area is popular with artists, musicians, millennials, and urbanites.

Hiking, Restaurants, and Nightlife Oh My!

For those interested in getting out and seeing nature in the beautiful San Diego sunshine, Golden Hill is close to some of the best hiking trails in the city in nearby Balboa Park, or even through the canyons surrounding the Park. Make it in time for sunset at 23rd and A street for an incredible view! Or, if you’re looking for a place to take your pup off-leash, the Grape Street Dog Park is nearby and offers beautiful panoramas of the San Diego skyline and bay.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the trails, mosey on down to some of the popular local eateries, including Pizzeria Luigi, which was featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. One top restaurant is the neighborhood treasure, Krakatoa Café, nestled under the shade of a large fig tree, with a sizable patio that stretches the length of the house. Other popular local spots include Los Reyes Mexican Food, Influx Cafe, and Turf Supper Club. Of course, if you feel the urge for a night on the town, Golden Hill is a quick Uber from the ever-popular Gaslamp District downtown or the trendy East Village.

An Artist’s Paradise

Golden Hill has long been a draw for local artists and musicians, which is perhaps why this neighborhood is home to two local record companies, Black Box Recording Studios and The Habitat Recording Studios. Recently, it also became home to the San Diego Reader, a weekly publication centered on the happenings of the San Diego art, music, dining, and theatre scene. Of course, you won’t want to miss the two annual festivals featuring local musicians at the Kate Sessions Fest and the Golden Hill Block Party.

Living in Paradise

The architecture in this historic neighborhood ranges from pre-1900s to Victorian to Craftsman to farmhouses and everything in between. With the eclectic mix of buildings in the area, it can be difficult to find accommodations that are attractive and offer modern conveniences without sky-high price tags.

The Guild on 30th,  a new residential community being developed by McNamara Ventures and Agora Partners, offers well-designed new housing for the “missing middle” with a price tag in line with median values– which any local will tell you is a rarity in this highly constrained coastal market. If you’re interested in learning more about the Guild on 30th or what makes Golden Hill a great place to live, email sales@guildon30th.com today!

Ground Breaking for The Guild on 30th

With beautiful weather, a crowd gathered, and a substantially sized bulldozer, McNamara Ventures and Agora Partners officially broke ground on The Guild on 30th. The development will be located at the Northeast corner of Broadway & 30th Street in the Golden Hill neighborhood of San Diego. 

The development is a joint venture between McNamara Ventures and Agora Partners. McNamara Ventures is a local real estate development firm focused on urban infill, Smart Growth developments. Agora Partners is a real estate development firm specializing in identifying and creating value-add opportunities in urban environments throughout Southern California. Howard Kozloff, pictured below with Keegan McNamara of McNamara Ventures, is Managing Partner of Agora Partners, based in Los Angeles.

Golden Hill

Located just south of the expansive Balboa Park in the City of San Diego, the vibrant neighborhood of Golden Hill offers incredible views of Downtown, Coronado, and stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Offering walkable destinations such as top restaurants, breweries, museums, hiking trails, and even the San Diego Zoo, it’s no wonder that the area is popular with artists, millennials, and urbanites. There is even an annual musical block party that celebrates the musicians in the area. 

The architecture in the neighborhood ranges from pre-1900s to Victorian, Craftsman, and farmhouses to everything in between. With the eclectic mix of buildings in the area, the infusion of a modern development with 21st century convenience will be a welcomed option for people looking to move to the area.

Constrained Supply

For the supply constrained San Diego market, new housing units available for sale can’t come a moment too soon. A booming economy, local building restrictions, and a lack of developable land have created one of the tightest housing markets in the country in Central San Diego. The Guild on 30th is designed to provide well-designed new housing for the “missing middle” with a price tag in line with median values– which any local will tell you is a rarity in this highly constrained coastal market.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

As groundbreaking commenced last week, several members of the McNamara Ventures team watched bulldozer operators knock down the tiny, decrepit building and use the crane arm to load the debris into a waiting dumpster. “We are enormously excited to embark on this new project here in Golden Hill,” said Keegan McNamara from McNamara Ventures, “It’s a wonderful neighborhood, and we look forward to enriching it with The Guild on 30th.”

Learn More

The Guild on 30th offers the opportunity to purchase well-designed homes with green living features in a desirable area, and all within a median price range. If you’re interested in learning more about the Guild on 30th or what makes Golden Hill so special, contact one of our residential advisors today by emailing sales@guildon30th.com.