Salinas Valley is an agriculturally important region known for its diverse crops, many of which can be grown year-round. To honor the existing community, the materials and massing of Salinas Gateways draw upon the region’s agrarian vernacular of packing sheds, cold storages and processing plants, and express the region's ethos and industries. The four story building provides high-quality affordable housing for seniors in the form of 52 highly-sustainable apartments. 

Water was a key driver, for this project - as with any project in the county of Monterey due to its water-sensitivity and needs for agricultural production. Water mindfulness at Salinas Gateway includes water efficient fixtures, organic, drought-tolerant and low-water plantings, and on-site cisterns to harvest rainwater. The project also hosts the first green roof of its size in the region. The green roof filters rainwater before it is stored, lowers the heat island effect, insulates the roof, and extends the life of the roof itself. The project received LEED Platinum certification. 

On the ground floor, a commercial space is wrapped by a ground level parking podium. The 159,000 sq. ft. building sits on a small urban infill site of 0.75 acres and includes a community room with computers, a lounge, two community patios and private balconies for each unit. Because 50% of the senior tenants have special needs, the architectural design is simple, intuitive and flexible; accommodating people with a range of abilities, known as Universal Design. Located just .75 miles from downtown, residents can enjoy the walkable, bikeable location adjacent to HUBs for public transportation. Each tenant receives a free transit pass to encourage use of alternative transportation which is especially important for the community.

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