A new construction project, The Blend, 14 brand-new upscale townhomes in two buildings at 1956 Hornblend St. in Pacific Beach, will be on the market soon.

Designed by architect Tim Golba, The Blend’s 14, 2-bed 2-½ bath units are priced from $1.25 million -$1.45 million. The project’s look is a blend of the natural coastal landscape and modern contemporary architecture.

The project emphasizes the modern direction PB is heading architecturally while remaining woven into the existing well-known local beach scene.

“It’s the only new construction, multi-units, that’s for sale in Pacific Beach right now: That’s unique,” said Rachael Kaiser of The Kaiser Team. “It’s nice to see what was once this tiny little house turned into something that can fulfill the (housing) demand.”

Available in three different floor plans, each townhome unit features top-of-the-line appliances, bay views, and layouts to entertain guests.

Asked about the project’s target market, Kaiser replied: “Move-up buyers, professionals. We do have a lot of second-home buyers. The (units) layout is the same, one bedroom and one bathroom on the main floor, and then a living space and master bedroom on the upper floor. It has views of Mission Bay.”

Golba noted The Blend “created 14 infill units on a site formerly occupied by a dilapidated cottage that has not been lived in for 30 years.” He pointed out the site met the intent and direction of the State and City infill housing program while utilizing the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Density Bonus Program to allow 14 units on site.

“The decision was made to go with townhouse units to allow for secure private garages and two bedrooms above due to the site and potential for views,” said Golba, noting the majority of the units enjoy private roof decks. “The type and makeup of the unit from the oversized garages to the use of townhouse designs where there are no neighbors above or below you was perfect for entry-level buyers in the PB market,” he said. “Being so transit-close and completely walkable, the hope was that these would be occupied by transit users, and with the trolley open, it could be young professionals or even students.”

Added Golba, “By doing a pair of seven-unit buildings, it allowed for significantly more light and air to the units and a much smaller bulk and scale to the street, since the entire center of the lot was left open to allow light and air due to the ground-level drive aisle to access the garages.”

Golba pointed out that the project provides 14 residential infill units with two units preserved for 55 years to be at a very low-income level of affordability. “The use of the affordable housing density bonus also allowed the project to use incentives to remove the commercial office requirement for this lot and to be a residential-only parcel, which likely doubled the density of the project site, and did not provide commercial office in a location where it would be greatly underutilized if not vacant.”

Golba said the design style and exterior aesthetic were targeted to be a “casual beachy modern look with large windows and doors to capture both light and air as well as the views for many of the units.”

Ten of the project’s14 units include private roof decks with the other units having large balconies instead of roof decks.

“They’ll be completed in about six weeks with occupancy probably the end of August,” noted Kaiser.