The firm will serve as property manager for the newly developed Millennium Apartments.

Western National Property Management (WNPM), a highly respected property management firm that specializes in multifamily communities and commercial properties across Southern California and Nevada, announces the opening of Millennium Apartments, a recently developed 330-unit luxury multifamily apartment community in Palm Desert, California, owned by Metonic Real Estate Solutions.

WNPM, a 65-year-old company and a subsidiary of full-service commercial real estate firm Western National Group, will serve as property manager for the community.

The opening of Millennium Apartments in the heart of the Coachella Valley represents a broader national call for high-quality, well-located multifamily communities as prohibitively high home prices and a limited inventory of single-family homes combine to fuel continued renter demand, according to Laura Khouri, President and Chief Operating Officer of Western National Property Management.

“Millennium was designed to offer the best of desert living for residents looking to enjoy Palm Desert’s thriving culture and recreation scene without enduring the financial challenges associated with home ownership in the current economic landscape,” explains Khouri. “Our firm is dedicated to providing this new community with the top-tier resident services we’re known for and using our multifamily expertise to employ operational strategies that help to elevate ROI and long-term value for owners amid a challenging economy.”

Western National proudly brings an ownership mindset to each asset it manages because the firm represents both third-party partners and in-house owners, enabling the company to treat each property as its own. Through this unique perspective, WNPM applies comprehensive skillfulness and a customized approach that distinguishes each asset from its competitors, boosts efficiency, and keeps costs in check while maintaining resident satisfaction, describes Khouri.

Ideally located in the Coachella Valley where vibrant desert landscapes meet luxury living, Millennium Apartments is situated close to Acrisure Arena, which offers year-round concerts and sporting events; Joshua Tree National Park; art galleries; numerous fine dining establishments and local eateries; and a variety of entertainment and shopping venues to provide access to the ultimate desert lifestyle.

“Today’s apartment living is all about curating modern, well-located communities with the features and amenities that ensure comfort and convenience for residents,” says Kassie Inness, President of Metonic Real Estate Solutions. “Millennium living offers the highly amenitized environment renters crave and the human-centric approach to resident services that make it feel like home.”

The community features studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with contemporary finishes and smart-home technology, private patios, stainless-steel appliance suites, quartz countertops, plush carpeting in bedrooms, open-concept floorplans, and direct-access garages.

Common-area amenities at the property include a clubhouse, resort-style saltwater swimming pool, first-class fitness center with private yoga studio and outdoor exercise lawn, activity park, pet park, three conference rooms, business center, coworking spaces, package lockers and electric vehicle charging stations.

Open now for leasing, Millennium Apartments is located at 74699 Technology Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) has broken ground on the $285M, 424,000 square-foot North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development at University of California, Riverside (UCR). This intersegmental project, one of the first of its kind in California, will house students from UCR and Riverside Community College District (RCCD), providing those students the opportunity to experience affordable campus living.

The recent surge in enrollment at UCR and RCCD colleges has created a substantial disparity between housing demand and available options. Students have been compelled to explore off-campus housing alternatives, which may not always be safe or convenient. This project aims to address the current housing shortage and ultimately provide a secure, comfortable, and modern living environment for both undergraduate and graduate students.

“The McCarthy team is proud to be part of this revolutionary project, which helps bridge the gap between larger universities and community colleges,” said Sarah Carr, Vice President, McCarthy. “This housing development will provide affordable options that will enhance graduation rates not only for UCR students, but for Riverside City College students as well – a benefit to the entire community.”

Located on UCR’s main campus, the project will provide 429 modern single and double occupancy apartment-style units ranging from one to four bedrooms and complete with kitchen/living room spaces along with contemporary amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning, designated study areas, and communal spaces designed for both academic focus and social engagement, including a café/market, new recreation fields and a central park. The project has also received funding through the State Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program to provide affordable beds for UCR and Riverside City College students, bringing the total number of beds to 1,568 and ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have access to safe, affordable housing.

“We can’t solve all the problems that are challenges for students, but we can solve those two by bringing students to the campus, letting them live here, wear their UCR or RCC T-shirt, and just be part of the campus,” said Kim Wilcox, Chancellor, UCR. “It breaks down a barrier and aside from the housing, it provides them with a different sense of themselves.”

This intersegmental housing project “is meticulously and intentionally designed to break persistent cultural and psychological barriers that many of our first-generation and low-income students experience through a process of total immersion into the UC system.” said Wolde-Ab Isaac, Chancellor, RCCD. “My hope is this unique partnership and innovative approach will serve as a model for others to emulate around the state.”

The first students of the North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development are expected to move in in 2025.

By Chairman Curt Hagman

What a thrill celebrating the opening of the first Topgolf location in Southern California in the city of Ontario. While this entertainment experience brings a whole new level of high-quality recreation to our region, it represents so much more. 

It was more than four years ago that the County pursued bringing Topgolf to 13.7 acres of undeveloped County-owned land in Ontario. Given the location of the land coupled with the socio-economic demographics of the area and recreational use restrictions, the County believed that Topgolf was an ideal fit for the site and developed a strategy to attract the company. This highly strategic initiative resulted in a 20-year ground lease agreement with Topgolf that was approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 30, 2019. 

What is important to emphasize is that over the course of Topgolf’s 20-year ground lease, the County will receive more than $625,000 in annual revenue, benefiting the San Bernardino County Regional Parks system, which includes nine regional parks throughout the county and several other recreational attractions.

The Topgolf relationship represents the true value of a successful public-private partnership. While the County had the land, location, and workforce, Topgolf had the right business model, and that made all the difference.  

The entertainment aspects of this new facility appeal to all ages. What started as a simple idea to enhance the game of golf has evolved into a best-in-class hospitality entertainment venue centered on a game that is accessible and appealing to all, regardless of skill or ability. 

While the agreement facilitates the opening of a wonderful new entertainment destination for residents and visitors, the County’s park system gains a valuable income stream which even further benefits our county residents. More importantly, Topgolf’s business operations bring hundreds of new jobs that will enhance the local economy as well as create an important catalyst for new economic opportunities and investment. 

While Topgolf executives chose San Bernardino County due to its convenient regional location, strong retail performance, and large and growing population base, they have also shared that the County was business-friendly since day one noting the County worked proactively throughout the deal process, solving any challenges along the way.

All told, this is an exciting and vital relationship with Topgolf that underscores the value of public-private partnerships and the excitement we all feel for this new first-ever Southern California Topgolf location.