PODCASTS > Arcat Detailed Podcast Episode

146: Transit Oriented Development | Montara

33m 55s |

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Aaron Thornton, AIA, Principal at Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMSA) in San Francisco, California. They discuss Montara in San Mateo, California.

Montara is a new affordable housing community in San Mateo, California, designed as a welcoming gateway to the Bay Meadows transit-oriented development. The four-story building provides 68 apartments for low-income families and individuals, including 12 homes reserved for formerly homeless veterans.

Photo Credit: Bruce Damonte

Aaron Thornton, AIA, Principal, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Aaron Thornton, AIA, is a Principal of Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMSA) with over 25 years of professional experience and a well-rounded skill set in design, planning, detailing, and project leadership.

Aaron divides his time between education and affordable housing projects throughout the Bay Area.

He recently lead the design and construction of a new net-zero energy school for San Francisco University High School at their California Campus.

He enjoys working through complex challenges and communicating with multiple stakeholders on tight urban sites to create sustainable structures reflecting their communities and context.

A licensed architect in California, he received his Master of Architecture from University of California, Berkeley, and his Bachelor of Science from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Project Name and Location: Montara, San Mateo, California

Serving as a dramatic new gateway to a growing transit-oriented development at Bay Meadows in San Mateo, California, Montara provides 68 affordable apartments for low-income families and formerly homeless individuals.

This 68-unit affordable housing project for low-income families serves as a gateway to a new transit-oriented development in San Mateo California.

Montaraâs apartments are available to families and individuals with incomes up to 30-60% AMI, with 12 apartments set aside for formerly homeless veterans.

Community amenities include a large community room, multipurpose room, laundry lounge overlooking the landscaped courtyard, and small meeting rooms.

"For me, home is somewhere I know I can be safe. Not just within our unit but the whole community we're living withâ Karenrose Naval, Resident

Located on the redeveloped former site of the Bay Meadows horse racing track, the 124,491 SF, four story building presents a distinguished contemporary faÃ§ade to the community, while creating a sunny, wind-protected courtyard for the residents.
Its location near a CalTrain station and multiple bus lines benefits the low-income residents as well as the larger community by helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Integrated sustainable design strategies include a high-performance building envelope, solar water heating, natural ventilation, and energy efficient lighting. The project is rated GreenPoint Gold.

Montara is immediately adjacent to another LMSA project, the Nueva School at Bay Meadows â an independent high school also designed and constructed within the Bay Meadows Specific Plan redevelopment area. The transit-rich site is located within three blocks of a commuter train stop, multiple bus routes, a dedicated bike path, and a large public park.