A one-time parking lot in the heart of downtown Mesa is now a place for people to live in what its developers said is one of the most energy-efficient multifamily projects in the state.

Habitat Metro and Willmeng Construction recently celebrated the grand opening of ECO MESA at 127 W. Pepper Place.

“Five to six years ago, Mesa held a lot of empty storefronts, and this is the best transformation story in the Valley,” CCBG Architects managing partner Brian Cassidy said.

“ECO MESA is a great testament for how we can take underperforming parking lots and make something exceptional out of it.”

Habitat Metro set out to create “a purposeful, environmentally conscientious community in an area that is rapidly evolving into another urban center in the Valley,” a release stated.

“We had an idea in mind, and we needed the right team to make it a reality, and the City of Mesa was a tremendous partner for us, and we are grateful for their support all along the way,” Habitat Metro co-founder Tim Sprague said.

“Our choice to collaborate with CCBG on the design and Willmeng on the delivery were obviously the right ones.”

Mesa Mayor John Giles said: “Projects like this can really bring back the quality of life and the character that has been lacking for a few decades.”

For Willmeng, ECO MESA was its first opportunity to work on a sustainable multifamily project and one that came with some challenges, according to the release.

The “postage stamp” site is situated between a wedding venue, museum and a coffee shop, creating a challenge for the firm, the release stated.

Some solutions to issues had to be developed, including materials storage, parking and the placement of the tower crane.

“Willmeng completed the project while maintaining open streets, continual light rail operations and minimal disturbances for the nearby businesses in Downtown Mesa,” the release stated.