As a non-profit dedicated to creating and sustaining high-quality affordable housing communities that advance equity and opportunity for all, McCullough is thrilled to feature Eden Housing as our Client of the Month.

For a brief history, Eden Housing began in the late 1960s and started out as a volunteer organization in the Bay Area by a group of community activists who were concerned about the lack of accessible, affordable housing. The volunteers would meet at local coffee shops or restaurants and would come together as advocates for a statewide ballot initiative supporting what we now call ‘fair housing.’ Fast forward to today, Eden Housing has developed or acquired nearly 12,000 homes in communities throughout California, currently serving a diverse population of 22,000 low-income residents from all cultures and backgrounds. More than 100,000 people have come home to an Eden community. Eden Housing is celebrating their 55th year anniversary this year.

Eden Housing and McCullough Relationship

In 2019, Eden Housing hired Chris Arthur as Director of Real Estate Development in Southern California. With a focus on expanding their Southern California operations and since he is a lifelong San Diegan, Chris was engaged to open the San Diego development office to build out the portfolio of new construction projects. In this role, he oversees all development projects in Southern California including new construction multifamily developments and senior living communities.

The McCullough/Eden Housing Relationship began soon after Chris joined the team during a ULI trolley tour in San Diego where Chris connected with our Senior Associate, Benjamin Arcia. The two are now working on three exciting projects together.

Chris states,

“I like working with Ben because he has artistic prowess and possesses the strength and vision to create something beautiful. If we tell him we have a certain budget, he can revise without compromising the themes and overall aesthetic concept. He understands that there are different levels of spending but that does not have to detract from the overall feeling. It is very impressive what he comes up with.”

Mulberry Garden Apartments, Riverside, CA

Eden Housing is working with McCullough Landscape Architecture and Dahlin Architecture on Mulberry Garden Apartments in Riverside, CA, which will consist of two phases - senior and family rental apartments, that will be 100% affordable and income restricted to a range of lower-income households.

The project will include 59 units focused on senior households and 150 multifamily units with a mix of one, two, and three bedrooms - all of which would be affordable to extremely low and low-income households. The site is over four acres, leaving a lot of opportunity for expansive site work and landscape design.

To serve residents’ needs, the development will include centrally located community rooms, management offices, mail and parcel rooms, laundry facilities, building maintenance shops, storage, and surface parking. The development also includes common open spaces such as a tot lot for families, BBQ and picnic areas to congregate in, space for a community garden, a bocce ball court, and covered tables for gathering.

73rd Street Apartments, San Diego, CA

The 73rd Street Apartments will be a 120-unit large family development located in San Diego, CA. This project is unique because it is part of the County of San Diego’s initiative to redevelop property they own.

The project will be developed on a single parcel, an approximately 1.26-acre parcel located in the College Area of San Diego, which is about nine miles east of downtown San Diego. The site is conveniently located near retail and transit, while nestled in a predominately single-family neighborhood. Preliminary drawings prepared by TCA Architects plan for a five-story building. Two courtyards will be located on the ground level, each with its own entrance on the east and west openings of the building. The management offices, kitchen, community room, laundry room, and bike storage room will be located on the west end (73rd Street) of the project.

At Eden Housing “Home is just the beginning.” What sets Eden Housing apart is their commitment to the creation of long-term sustainable communities where residents can grow together and live with dignity, regardless of their income level. For 55 years, Eden has been meeting this mission by developing communities where residents can thrive socially and economically while maintaining their sense of community. We look forward to our continued collaboration on delivering these projects to California and expanding the Southern California footprint of affordable housing, because everyone deserves a place to call home, while also engaging with their natural environment.

San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF) Shares Legacy Video on David McCullough

Thank you to the San Diego Architectural Foundation and to Maddy MacEkwee, Founder & CEO at The Lighting Element and currently serving on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Architectural Foundation for the wonderful article on David McCullough, Principal Landscape Architect at McCullough.

Read more from Maddy’s article and check out the legacy video below.

“I want to tell you about my good friend David McCullough.
David has contributed an abundance of time and effort to the San Diego Architectural Foundation for the past 16 years, starting way back in 2006! That was when he and Maxine Ward revived the Orchids & Onions Awards by spearheading the purchase of the program from AIA. For the whopping price of one dollar! That one deal instantly made it the largest program in SDAF’s line up of great events.
David also brought PechaKucha (PKN) to San Diego in 2009, – and led this community event for 13 years, most recently as November of 2022. He has done everything from finding amazing presenters and venues, to setting up mics and sound equipment on the night of each event.
As an SDAF leader he has done everything! He sat on the executive committee for multiple years and was Treasurer for many more with a role as Vice President in 2022.
But it isn’t just us. This talented guy also finds time to sit on the Historical Resources Board of San Diego – in fact, he was selected to sit on that BOD and serve as Chair by the Mayor of San Diego and City Council, and advises the City on Historic Sites application and other preservation projects.
And he hasn’t stopped! David is currently working with Margit Whitlock on the SDAF’s special project for the World Design Capital 2024. David and his superstar wife and partner Catherine, own McCullough Landscape Architecture, an award-winning landscape architectural firm, which he founded in 1999.
Honestly, David brightens the room when he walks into it, and his infectious laugh always warms my heart. Please enjoy this Legacy Video, featuring the magnificent, David McCullough.”
By Maddy MacElwee

SDAF Legacy Video for David McCullough

Welcome to the Team, Matt and Ryan!

McCullough is thrilled to welcome Associate, Matthew Belanger, ASLA, and intern, Ryan Khalaf to the team! Matt brings fresh, creative ideas and has designed and managed projects for communities, parks, streetscapes, and retail centers. Ryan is excited to expand his skills for a professional career in urban development. Please join us in welcoming both to the McCullough team!

Matthew Belanger

Matthew’s first experience with landscape architecture occurred when he was about 10 years old. His family moved to a new home in Napa, California. When they moved the backyard was just dirt for the first few months. It was muddy, and he didn’t care. One day a man with a drawing pad and a vision came to visit while he was warping dirt with a basketball. He was a landscape architect, and he would be taking measurements and providing concepts for a new yard and court. He showed his sketches and talked for a short bit about what he does. His ability to transform the yard in a matter of weeks was inspiring. Matthew used that court and yard he designed all throughout Junior High up until when he returned home from the Air Force with his son almost twenty years later.

Matthew found landscape architecture once more after serving three of six years of active duty. He realized it was the perfect profession as it allowed him to be passionate about his art and allowed him to be a visual thinker.

In 2015 while studying landscape architecture at UC Davis, he enjoyed seeing fresh ideas in creativity and being able to share and collaborate with others. In 2016, Matthew studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain. He found it fascinating to see how culture, history, economics, and art all mesh to form what is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. After graduation in 2018, he stayed in the Sacramento area where he learned from skilled and dedicated designers. Working with many cities in the greater Sacramento area, he designed and managed projects for communities, parks, streetscapes, and retail centers.

Read Matt’s full bio here.

Ryan Khalaf

Ryan started his educational career at Orange Coast College (OCC) in the City of Costa Mesa majoring in architecture. He also continued his passion for playing two sports as a student athlete on campus, water polo and swimming. As a proactive student in and out of the classroom, Ryan leads by example, including in sports. Ryan’s experience on the swim team in college exemplifies his drive to overcome challenges and uplift those around him. In 2021 Ryan transferred from OCC to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) where he is currently a senior majoring in Urban Studies and Planning (USP). Ryan is expected to graduate in the Winter Quarter of 2024.

As a student intern at McCullough Landscape Architecture, Ryan plans to expand his skills through professional training to help boost and complement his education and to also prepare him for a professional career in urban development. In the office, Ryan is a self-starter and is a team player within the firm.

Read Ryan’s full bio here.

Client of the Month: Eden Housing