New luxury apartments will be ‘nicest in Columbia,’ developer says. Here’s what to expect.
The site of the old Jim Moore Cadillac dealership at 2222 Main St. could soon be transformed into a luxury apartment complex.
Monday night, the city of Columbia’s Planning Commission voted to approve the site plan from Virginia based developer Commonwealth Properties. The plan also received approval from the city’s Design and Development Review Commission last week.
“I think (we) have come up with what I believe to be a really excellent plan and what I hope will be some of the nicest if not the nicest apartments in Columbia,” Steve Middleton, president of Commonwealth Properties, said at the meeting.
The two three-story buildings will include 246 apartment units and four “live-work units.”
Middleton stressed that the property would not be student housing and that the leasing guidelines were specifically structured to exclude renters under the age of 22 unless they are able to meet the income requirements without a cosigner.
Instead, Middleton said the complex would cater to “renters by choice,” who are searching for high quality finishes and extensive amenities.
So what will the finished product look like? For the interior, Middleton listed features such as 12 foot high ceilings, crown molding, marble countertops and stainless steel appliances.
Outside there will be two courtyards. One will have a swimming pool complete with heated spa area as well as cabanas and an outdoor kitchen. The other will have a bocce ball court, a putting green, and a space for outdoor yoga.
One building will have a fourth floor club room with a rooftop deck with “dramatic views of downtown,” Middleton said.
Other amenities include a fitness center, co-working space, a pet spa, a dog park and a bike shop.
In 2018, a plan to build a charter school on the site drew outcry from nearby residents and businesses who feared it would increase traffic. This time around, Middleton said he received support from both the Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District Neighborhood Association and the Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association.
“We’re looking forward to being a part of the North Main corridor,” Middleton said.
