There’s a name game in Manteca when it comes to housing.

It’s called Quarterra.

They don’t build  single family homes and sell them.

Quarterra keeps them and leases them.

The wholly-owned subsidiary of the nation’s second largest home builder — Lennar Corporation — is getting ready to move forward with the largest mixed rental community in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

Quarterra plans to build 672 apartments, 48 duplex units and 98 single family homes on 59 acres on the southeast corner of the 120 Bypass and Main Street interchange. All are expected to be leased.

That’s 818 rentals that could, based on current yields for various housing types, add 1,900 more Manteca residents.

Quarterra is conducting a virtual community meeting on the proposed project on Monday, Aug. 26, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

You can join in via Zoom (https://tinyurl.com/QuintalRoad) or by phone (669-900-9128) and enter meeting ID 891 9460 6357#

The meeting will consist of a short presentation on the project and address community benefits.

There will be time for community feedback when questions about the project will be answered.

The meeting will be recorded and made available upon request to those who cannot attend.

 Lennar via Quarterra  is one of at least four U.S. builders constructing new rental houses.

It’s a trend that is growing trend of new home builders becoming landlords.

It is driven by a number of factors:

*The robust rental market.

*People preferring stand alone homes but can’t afford the down payment.

*Those that want a home buT prefer the flexibility of renting

*Some can’t qualify for a mortgage.

*There are those that want to live in a home in a community while saving up for a mortgage and making sure they are making the right choice in terms of a city to Call home.

*Given the homes are clustered together it is easier for the firm to rent out, maintain and repair.                                             

In other rental single family communities Lennar built and leases such as in Sparks, Nev., they also maintain the lawns and shrubs.

Quarterra’s website notes, “We are committed to addressing the US housing shortage and affordability crisis by providing access to households making, on average, just 85% of the median area income.”

If that is the case, it could open up more single family homes that more people with jobs on this side of the Altamont Pass can afford to lease.

The firm currently leases 4,891 homes in 19 markets. The homes have an overall value of $2.2 billion with an average age of 0.8 years.

Known as the Quintal Road, the Quarterra project, it will result:

*In a median being built on South Main Stret between Atherton Drive and the freeway to allow only right turns onto and from Quintal Road including the existing convenience store/gas station and undeveloped commercial sites.

*A second northbound lane will be added from Atherton Drive tying into the eastbound Bypass onramp.

*Buena Vista Drive being extended to and across Atherton Drive. The new intersection will be signalized.

*Two minor street intersections with Atherton Drive.

*Extending the separated bike path that currently ends at the western edge of the Paseo Villas apartments.

*New traffic signal components to coordinate the signals on Main Street at both Atherton Drive and the eastbound freeway ramps to improve traffic flow.

*The creation of a public space with Manteca’s first cricket pitch.

The 672 apartments will be divided into two  complexes. The first phase of apartments will consist of 156 one-bedroom units, 120 two-bedroom units and 36 three-bedroom units. The second phase will consist of 252 one-bedroom units and 108 two-bedroom units.

Each phase will have separate clubhouses, fitness amenities, and swimming pools. Both will be gated.

The 98 single family homes are proposed for both sides of Atherton Drive with 66 of them on the south side of the four-lane road. Like other single family homes along Atherton, they will back up to a soundwall.

The 48 duplex units are on the north side of Atherton,.

They will be universal access to a 1.93-acre public space area that abuts the apartment complexes and is accessible to anyone.

It will include a picnic area with a shade canopy, active recreation court with a cricket pitch, kids play area, strolling paths, and flex court.

The Quintal Road endeavor is one of three projects either approved or in the approval process that impact the Atherton Drive and Main Street intersection.

One of the other two is 210 apartments on the southeast corner of Atherton Drive and South Street being pursued by the Bay Area-based SOMA group.

When those are completed as well as the Quintal Road project complexes, there will be 2,326 apartment units along Atherton Drive between Bass Pro Road and a point east of Van Ryn Avenue.

The other is the Marketplace at Main shopping complex on the southwest corner of Atherton Drive and South Main Street. It will be anchored by a supermarket.

There is also nearly 55,000 square feet in additional retail and dining  space including a 4,400-square-foot McDonald’s nestled against the southwest corner of Atherton Drive and South Main. It will be the city’s fifth McDonald’s.

The plans also call for a car wash. It will be located along South Main Street.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com