The Orchard at Hilltop

The Orchard at Hilltop was the result of a unique and fruitful collaboration between engaged local stakeholders, an enlightened affordable housing developer, opened-minded City staff, and a willing and able design team.

The elegant design capitalizes on the natural assets of its site – the brow of a hill situated between a busy neighborhood boulevard and a classic San Diego arroyo. 4-story mixed-use buildings comfortably address the street by concentrating active storefronts and community serving uses at the sidewalk. On the opposite side, the buildings reach out to the fully restored seasonal waterway by siting recreational amenities along its edge.

All 113 affordable apartments enjoy generous balconies – many with views to the Bay and beyond. Units range from studios to 4-bedrooms, creating a development focused on intergenerational living. The Orchard’s site plan encourages both movement and gathering by including a network of pathways, meeting areas, play spaces, overlooks, and a community pool. Original public art, both indoors and out, appear in a variety of places and media. Murals and custom site furnishings throughout the complex give the development an authentic local identity.