Orchid The Orchard at Hilltop is an infill affordable mixed use development that provides 113 affordable apartment homes, becoming the a dramatic new entry to the Chollas Creek/Encanto Neighborhood of San Diego.
The site for the project was a neglected trash filled canyon that was thoughtfully redesigned as a native riparian arroyo maximizing the development opportunities while creating a natural backdrop for new housing and open space. The former site provided a natural barrier for east west connections through to the existing community, schools, and parks. This new development enhances pedestrian connections with a new pedestrian bridge across the arroyo along with completion of hilltop avenue.
The Orchard project facilitates opportunities for community interaction throughout the site by providing numerous outdoor amenities including: a recreational lawn, pool deck, outdoor kitchen, playground with active play equipment, and a basketball court. Murals are incorporated on the residence buildings by a community artist, bringing vitality to the walls. The project also provides an ADA compliant arroyo wellness trail that connects all of the Orchard’s amenities, while also providing neighborhood connections to the proposed single family development and park across the arroyo and to the Earthlab education program site.