Maricopa is one of three “areas that need more multifamily housing options,” said property managers of a new rental-only townhouse community.

Scottsdale-based Mark-Taylor Residential announced yesterday it has taken over managing EVR Porter, the luxury apartment complex on Porter and Bowlin Roads.

Multifamily housing makes up less than 2% of housing options in Maricopa, according to U.S. census data. But the city government in 2019 set the lofty goal one-fourth of all homes would be multifamily, admitting last year “Maricopa is nowhere near that goal.”

Mark-Taylor said EVR Porter is a step closer to that benchmark as one of three multifamily developments in metro Phoenix it will begin managing immediately. Developed by Scottsdale-based El Dorado Holdings, Mark-Taylor has acted as the manager since its first tenants moved in last year.

Mark-Taylor Managing Director Kaycee Kisling told InMaricopa the multifamily development adds to the city’s diverse range of housing options.

“Maricopa needs a whole lifecycle of housing opportunities to serve the residents in different stages of life,” she said.

Kisling said the build-to-rent homes act as a steppingstone for residents not yet ready to own a house, but who still want a step above the traditional apartment.

“There are a few other groups that are working really well right now to provide affordable housing, but these homes offer the ability for people to rent homes that have a lot of similarities to single-family homes,” she said. “It’s kind of a good middle ground between homeownership and your traditional multifamily apartment.”

Mark-Taylor has operated as a developer, consulting firm and a third-party manager in Arizona since 1985. The firm manages 98 properties in the state and four more in Las Vegas.