Building Tucson: III Oaks Development creates new/old architecture

The compliment Sharon Ludwig appreciates most is when someone marvels at how well she “remodeled a historic home.”

Because her homes are built from the ground up, Ludwig takes the compliment as validation that her attention to detail and surrounding architecture paid off.

The owner of III Oaks Development recently finished a row-house project in Barrio Santa Rosa called Espiritu de Santa Rosa, on the corner of Meyer Avenue and 21st Street. Home prices range from $379,000 to $399,000.

Across the street, on the site of a former Chinese market, Ludwig will start the development of 14 single-family homes, to be called Destino Santa Rosa.

Ludwig, a welder, said she took the leap in 2000 to start her own homebuilding company. Her beginning was in Sierra Vista, where she built spec homes.

It was there she learned about annexation, rezoning and platting. She finished 89 lots, which were bought by a large developer.

“I smile when I drive through the now fully completed project as I see families living there, knowing I had a small part in creating ‘home’ for those families,” Ludwig said. “My daughters were tickled when named two streets after them, Kimberly Lane and Amber Way.”

Her love of old structures in Tucson’s core drove her to start creating infill homes in the city’s center.

A Victorian-style home she built on the corner of Third Avenue and 15th Street in Armory Park is a source of pride for Ludwig, who often gets comments about how the house is a great restoration.

“I laugh as I confess the home is new construction,” she said.

The dominance of national homebuilders in the market is not an issue for III Oaks, as its niche is so unusual.

“I have discovered a tremendous outpouring of support for the ‘little guy,’” Ludwig said. “However … I hear about reduced or waived impact fees, tax incentives, reduced permit fees, et cetera, being offered to the national companies. It would be great to be appreciated like that.”

After surviving the housing crash, Ludwig feels “grateful to feel upward movement.”

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She believes in the “cohousing” concept — neighborhoods that combine extensive common facilities with private homes — and is looking for land to create such a community for one of her next projects.

She envisions homes of 800 to 1,000 square feet with residents walking or commuting by golf carts inside the community. There would be parks, water harvesting and natural landscape.

A centerpiece would be a large shared garden with metal art pieces depicting community and nature, said Ludwig, who is a metal artist (at BySheSaid.com).

Ludwig has two employees and annual revenues that have varied greatly over the years.

“Check back in with me in a year or so,” she said. “Lots of exciting projects are in the works.”

As downtown continues to see investment and development, Ludwig believes pockets of homes will spread south from there and ultimately cross 22nd Street. “I think 29th Street will become the new 22nd Street,” she said. “I absolutely believe that.”

Broker Jay Rutledge has been showing her homes to prospective buyers and said all have been impressed with the interior details.

“They love the stained concrete, wood and metal combination,” he said. “And, they love the barrio feel.

“Overall the feedback has been positive, especially from the neighbors because it’s infill.”

The name of her company was a tribute to her daughters, said Ludwig, who is a single mother.

“I wanted to honor them … to feel them with me in all of my actions,” she said.

When she was growing up in West Virginia, her favorite tree was a giant oak that she named “Majesty.”

“III Oaks Development, Kimberly, Amber and Sharon,” she said. “III Oaks, developing, every day.”