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The Portland-based development firm has acquired two pieces of infill property in California, at the price of $17.85 million, which the firm plans to develop.

After strengthening its presence in the Portland market throughout the recession, the firm is turning its attention to out-of-state markets like California, said Kelly Saito, the recently promoted president of Gerding Edlen. The property acquisitions are in San Francisco and Venice, Calif.

Gerding purchased the San Francisco property, located in downtown at 1285 Sutter St., for $9.25 million. The company plans to start construction on the property next month, building a mixed-use high rise with an emphasis on sustainability. The development will include 107 residential rental units and 10,000 square feet of retail space. Gerding is tracking a gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The firm purchased the 62,000-square-foot vacant Venice property for $8.6 million. As part of the purchase, Gerding acquired the project that is currently under construction on the site, a new, for-rent residential mixed-use building with 70 apartment units and retail space. The project is also seeking LEED gold certification.