Transforming apartments into communities.

Highland Property Construction Inc., commonly known as HPC, was formed in 2005 with a drive toward revitalizing California’s aging affordable housing. In a little more than ten years, HPC has completed the rehabilitation of nearly 3,500 apartment units, providing quality housing for thousands of low-income families and seniors throughout California, as well as portions of Texas.

HPC’s approach to construction emphasizes resident safety and security, aesthetic design, and quality workmanship. The team at HPC work to maximize energy efficiency at each project, minimize long-term operating and maintenance costs, and provide lasting, comfortable and secure homes for residents.

HPC’s construction team is well experienced in initial cost estimating and renown for completing jobs on schedule and budget. HPC’s typical project ranges between $40,000 and $50,000 hard construction costs per unit, and is completed within twelve months.

Kristoffer J. Kaufmann – Founding Owner, Director & President

​A founding owner and director of HPC, and since 2014 has served as the company’s President. Mr. Kaufmann has nearly twenty years experience in the affordable housing industry, having served with two national syndicators of low-income housing tax credits before forming the Highland Companies in 2002. With Highland, Mr. Kaufmann has overseen the development and rehabilitation of more than fifty multifamily properties.

Gary P. Downs – Founding Owner & Director

​A founding owner and director of HPC, Mr. Downs serves as the company’s Secretary. Mr. Downs is also a founding partner in the law firm Downs Pham & Kuei LLP based in San Francisco, and is recognized as an expert in the development of affordable housing. In his legal practice, Mr. Downs represents developers, lenders and investors on real estate, tax credit and affordable housing matters, and has personally participated in the development of over sixty affordable housing projects.

Frank Gamwell – Senior Vice President of Construction

​A director of HPC and serves as its Senior Vice President of Construction. Mr. Gamwell has over thirty years of multi-faceted construction and development experience on projects throughout Europe, the Pacific Rim and the Western United States. Mr. Gamwell is a two-time president of the Western Region of the Construction Management Association of America, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and is widely recognized as a Construction Defect and Construction Cost Expert in litigation matters. Mr. Gamwell has been involved as a Construction Manager, Estimator and Project Executive on numerous complex and prestigious projects, including the $1.5 billion exansion of Disneyland, the Salk Institute expansion in La Jolla, CA, and the build-out of Amgen, Inc.’s campus in Thousand Oaks, CA. Mr. Gamwell has managed the contruction or renovation of fifteen student housing projects at renowned campuses throughout California, including UCLA, USC and UC Berkeley. Mr. Gamwell has worked on the renovation and adaptive re-use of more than twenty historic buildings, including the catalyst projects at the heart of Los Angeles’ urban boom in 2001. Mr. Gamwell’s affinity toward environmental issues has led him to focus on urban infill, historic restoration, adaptive re-use projects, and the efficient rehabilitation of multi-family residential housing.

Post-Construction Services

Close Out All Onsite Work
Ensure Permit Signoffs
Issue Certificates of Occupancy
Produce Formal Closeout Manual
Oversee Warranty Items
Cost Certification Documentation 

“Volunteers of America had engaged Highland for construction projects and have found them to be a very professional and knowledgeable company with high quality staff.”

Lloyd Wright
Volunteers of America

Texas

Active since 2011
3 projects completed
314 units renovated
$16.8 million in contracts