Martin Leitner recently joined Sawtelle-based Nadel Architects as principal and director of the firm’s multifamily and infill housing studio where he will focus on redeveloping underutilized suburban sites.

Prior to joining Nadel, Leitner worked as a senior urban designer at Perkins&Will and currently co-chairs the Urban Land Institute’s Los Angeles Mobility Council.

In this new role, Leitner will use strategies rooted in “material health and biophilic design.”

“As single-family home prices continue to rise, renting is becoming an attractive long-term (living situation) – not just a temporary stop,” Leitner said.

“Tenants are looking for more than location or amenities. They’re looking for the qualities you’d expect in a home, like natural light, outdoor space and healthy materials,” he said.

Areas of focus

One area of focus for development under Leitner’s leadership will be “destination-rich, mobility-oriented, infill-walkable corridors and mixed-use nodes that benefit from recent updates to density bonus programs,” he said, specifically calling out the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena.

In taking advantage of local zoning incentives, Leitner acknowledged the additional costs they can bring to projects, such as labor requirements.

With that in mind, the firm will be diligent about “entitlement risk, design efficiency and speed to market,” he said.

Another priority for Nadel is developing suburban growth areas.

To Leitner, this means “places with strong infrastructure and access, where well-located shopping centers, office parks and institutional campuses can be reimagined with housing to create community,” he said.