Orchid 
The Bel is a symbol of hope and inclusivity, offering 80 affordable homes across 8-stories on a compact 12,000 sf urban site in the heart of Hillcrest. A 100% affordable and all-electric development serving families with incomes <50% AMI, it provides a mix of unit sizes from 420 sf studios to 1,250 sf three-bedroom units.
The U-shaped building fronts a public street and alleys on three sides and shelters a courtyard to the quieter northern side. The main façade along 8th Avenue is enlivened with a series of staggered, projecting bays with ribbed metal cladding. In contrast to the bays, the main mass of the building is a deliberately simple white box punctuated with square windows. The facades within the courtyard have a playful, pixelated green palette that brings color and joy to the residents.
The street entry aligns with the courtyard, creating a welcoming arrival filled with natural light and a clear connection to the building’s primary open space. Common amenities—including a community room, kitchen, and laundry—wrap the courtyard, establishing a safe, visible area for children to play while allowing parents to easily supervise. The indoor–outdoor continuity and cohesive material palette of the lobby, community room, and courtyard allow them to function as a single, shared space at the heart of the building.
The building is crowned on the 8th floor with a community co-working lounge and balcony, offering all residents a special view of the city and Balboa Park. This space was inspired by the tradition of a rooftop belvedere – a place of prospect to take in expansive views – and inspired the name of the community. With the project’s prominent location just north of University Ave, this rooftop element with expansive glass and a sloping roof will be a beacon on the Hillcrest skyline.
This development was designed using the City of San Diego’s Complete Communities Housing Solutions regulations. The Bel demonstrates how thoughtful urban infill housing can balance community impact, resident well-being, and environmental responsibility, while strengthening the neighborhood’s already vibrant urban fabric.