M West

Owner: Winter Properties, Atlanta
Location: Atlanta
Architect: Carl Meinhardt/Peter Drey + Co.

Situated on 12 acres, M West features 183 loft-style town homes and approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space. Located in Atlanta's Northwest Corridor, an emerging redevelopment zone, M West's planning and design is a study in progressive urbanism.

A primary design challenge was the steeply sloping site, which the designers addressed by devising a series of terraced levels for the houses and their backyards.

The developer, Winter Properties, believed that potential homeowners interested in buying in this neighborhood would seek an "urban scene" with a unique style of architecture that would be compatible with the feel of the surrounding commercial and industrial area.

The design of M West was inspired by the layout of traditional English towns, where alleys known as "mews" provide access to smaller residences located behind more expensive houses facing the main streets. This design concept transforms density into an asset by creating a unique neighborhood and community with an enclosed pedestrian friendly feeling.

The developer's enthusiasm for contemporary design encouraged the architects to create this community by forming a series of smaller neighborhoods made up of only seven different unit types. A mix of bright colors adds variety to the streetscapes of M West.

BellaMare

Owner: WCI Communities, Bonita Springs, Fla.
Location: Williams Island
Contractor: Coastal Construction Group, Miami
Architect: Robert M. Swedroe, Miami Beach

The 210-unit, 32-story BellaMare condominium on Williams Island was the largest-ever "sky-home" development for WCI Communities. Of the 210 units, 165 were private-elevator-entry apartments, including eight two-story penthouses that incorporate fireplaces and private rooftop swimming pools.

All residences are either through or corner units with bay and ocean views. Key-accessed, high-speed elevators open to each residence's private-entry lobby, while the BellaMare building is entered through a private gatehouse within the gated Williams Island community.

The building holds an entire level of service and guest suites for the residents and more than 50,000 sq. ft. of public amenities. The small, efficiency-like service suites are sold only to residents for uses such as a hobby room or guest room, while the guest suites serve as hotel accommodations for a resident's guests on a reservation basis.

Amenities include a fitness club, library, wine room, business center and theater with tiered seating.

The building's exterior is finished in white stucco, blending in well with all of the existing Williams Island residential towers.