July 8, 2008

New apartment complex in Franklin is well underway


'Dwell' takes shape in McEwen center
New apartment development hopes to capitalize on influx of workers

The Tennessean• July 8, 2008

FRANKLIN — Development on Williamson County's first apartment community in 10 years is under way in Cool Springs just off the McEwen interchange on I-65.
The 10-acre development, to be known as Dwell, will include 14 apartment buildings and 258 upscale units in the middle of Southern Land Company's mixed-use McEwen development.
Southern Land Company officials credit booming growth in Franklin and the surrounding area for its plans to build the company's first multi-family rental units.
During the next four years, nearly 6,000 new people will call Franklin home, bringing the population to 58,306, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A large portion of that number will come from the influx of 2,600 workers that Nissan and Verizon Wireless plan to bring with their new Franklin headquarters.
Michael McNally, Southern Land Co. senior project manager, says Dwell will court those employees specifically to the development, where one-, two- and three-bedroom units will average 1,100 square feet and will rent for $950 to $2,200 per unit.
Although Dwell at McEwen isn't slated to be complete until December, McNally says the company already is being inundated with calls from interested renters. Southern Land Co. will begin leasing Aug. 1.
Franklin alderman-at-large Clyde Barnhill says apartments are exactly what the market is calling for as new residents enter the area.
"We've got to provide a variety of housing opportunities, and the apartments are one of those," he said.
Although Dwell at McEwen is the first apartment community to be built in 10 years, more are down the pike. Planning director Jaime Groce said two other apartment projects have been approved since 2004.
McEwen's prime location, along Mallory Lane at the intersection of McEwen Lane in the middle of retail mecca Cool Springs, is one of its main draws, according to Jim Cheney, spokesman for Southern Land Company.
But the project is designed so that Dwell residents won't have to leave the development for shopping and dining options. The 93-acre McEwen development will include a six-floor, 190,000-square-foot building filled with retail, restaurants and office space.
The town center is expected to finish in January 2010.
Other Dwell amenities will include a saltwater pool and cabana, hot tub, private courtyard areas, fitness center, yoga and Pilates center, and an outdoor teaching kitchen designed for residential cooking classes or personal cooking.
Inside, the units will be fitted with 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops, gourmet kitchen islands and designer brushed nickel plumbing and light fixtures.
"It will have a very urban feel," McNally said.

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