Developers preview plans for apartments in north Fayetteville

Developers have released more details of the new mixed-use apartment and retail complex being built at the southwest corner of Joyce and Steele boulevards in north Fayetteville.

Specialized Real Estate Group, developers of the Eco Modern Flats complex and The Cardinal at West Center student complex, last month unveiled a video preview of the trailside complex designed by local firm Modus Studio.

Bordered on the north by Joyce Avenue and on the south by Mud Creek Trail, the project will feature about 300 apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms, and around 17,000 square feet of commercial space.

No commercial tenants have been announced, but from the looks of the fly-through video, Specialized is clearly targeting a mix of shops, services, and restaurants.

Other plans include a community garden, a bike repair station, a saltwater pool, private outdoor balconies, and rooftop decks.

Sarah King, spokesperson for Specialized, said Thursday the group is in talks with Apple Seeds, Inc. to help with the community garden, and that negotiations are also underway with a local artist for a planned public art installation.

King said the project is still focused on enhancing walkability and taking advantage of the complex’s proximity to the city’s trail system.

Aside from promoting a healthy lifestyle, King said trail access will provide some residents with an easier way to commute to work in north Fayetteville.

“This would be a perfect place to live if you work at Washington Regional or Procter & Gamble,” King said. “Because, really, you could get to those places quicker on a bicycle than in a car.”

King said if all goes according to plan, the complex should be open by early 2017.