Desert Meadows Townhomes marks a turning point for Lancaster, California, as the city’s first market-rate multifamily development in over 20 years.
For decades, the Antelope Valley has leaned heavily on income-restricted housing. But with a growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing workforce, the region needed something different to serve more affluent renters with preferences for upscale amenities.
Major employers like Northrop Grumman and Edwards Air Force Base have fueled job growth, but housing hasn’t kept up. High-earning professionals often faced long commutes to find modern living options.
Desert Meadows was built to change that. In just three months, it signed 77 leases — proof that demand for amenity-rich, contemporary housing was waiting to be met.
The 410,000-square-foot, 320-unit complex has won a 2026 CoStar Impact Award, as voted on by judges with knowledge of the market.
The development delivers on lifestyle, with a clubhouse, indoor-outdoor fitness center and remote workspaces. Outdoor perks like a resort-style pool, sports courts and a dog park round out the offering.
About the project: Desert Meadows includes an innovative “Party in a Box” event space created specifically to help residents host milestone events without leaving the property.
What the judges said: "The development helps to satisfy a local need in a meaningful way," said Daum Commercial Executive Vice President Kevin Tamura.
They made it happen: The development team was led by Guardian Capital Senior Vice President of Entitlements Glen Powles, Director of Development Alex Glick and Chief Portfolio Officer Russell Rodriguez; STK Architecture Architect and Owner Soong Kim; project lenders East West Bank and Western Alliance Bank; and property manager Asset Living.