January 1997 
858•535•8101
LANDSCAPE RENOVATION IS CRITICAL TO
THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF YOUR PROPERTY
SAN DIEGO, CA – Much like your walls need a new coat of paint or your floors cry out for new carpet, your landscaping requires refurbishment, too. Time takes a toll on plants and shrubs, which can become overgrown, leggy and unattractive after many years, regardless of how well they are taken care of. This can cause real problems for rental properties, where curb appeal is critical.
Property managers should understand the importance of beautiful landscaping to the rental business. Curb appeal is one of the first things to attract tenants, and well-maintained grounds say a lot about the property and the way it's taken care of.
With this in mind, properties all over town are undergoing landscape renovation. Two such properties are Riverfront Terrace and River Colony luxury condominiums in Mission Valley, which both recently underwent a partial renovation of the landscaping. The renovation was managed by High Tech Property Services, and included the landscaping and a complete overhaul of the irrigation systems. The goal, according to High Tech President Maria Arribas, was "to enhance the look and increase property value while decreasing water consumption and maintenance costs." The greatest challenge of the project, according to Arribas, was the integration of new and existing plants, which required careful selection of plant materials to maintain a consistent look. Miramar Wholesale Nurseries provided the more than 4,000 plants required to do the job, which included Ryhnchospermum jasminoides, Escallonia fradesil, Philodendron selloum and two types of Raphiolepsis.
Thanks to the building boom of the 80s, we'll be seeing lots more landscape renovation, according to Jim Kuhlken, of Marquez-Kuhlken Landscape Architects, who helped with the project design. "A typical landscape can last from eight to 10 years before being enhanced," Kuhlken says. "We'll be seeing more and more renovations over the coming years."
Miramar Wholesale Nurseries is a full-service wholesale grower. Its clients include most of San Diego's commercial properties, institutions, property managers and commercial landscapers. With over 100 acres in production, they grow a full complement of shrubs, trees, seasonal color and ground covers, as well as fertilizers, bulk soils and a full line of landscape products.
High Tech Property Services specializes in landscape maintenance and installation for condominium associations and apartments. With more than ten years in property management, High Tech takes a pro-active approach to maintenance, emphasizing prevention and water management wherever possible.
River Colony and Riverfront Terrace were managed by Monticello Management at the time of the renovation. Marquez-Kuhlken Landscape Architects specialize in landscape design for homeowner's associations.
