The Taylor Pre-leasing Luxury Downtown Apartments Ahead Of 2024 Opening

The Taylor, the first luxury apartment complex in Opelika's historic downtown, has now open for pre-leasing.

After over two years of debates and development, The Taylor, a new luxury apartment complex being built at 411 South 10th Street in downtown Opelika, is expected to open later this year, with a target opening oflate August to early September. Ahead of the opening, the complex announced that it has started pre-leasing its 198 one, two and three bedroom units with pricing starting at $1,250.

Pricing for one bedroom units ranges from $1,250 to $1,525, for two bedrooms it ranges $1,750 to $1,975 and three bedrooms are set at $2,200.

According to a news release from Huff & Co., the complex will have a comprehensive suite of amenity spaces that offer comfort, privacy, and a vibrant sense of community for residents.

There will be an entertainment area that provides a space to host gatherings and there will be a fitness facility as well. As for the individual units, they each will have upgraded finishes, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and black and wood tone accents according to the news release.

The complex will offer a sophisticated living option for residents who prefer a walkable community at their front door, according to the release.

The buildings are inspired by adaptive reuse were created by architect Geheber Lewis Associates and interior design firm Focus Design Interiors, according to the news release. It is being developed by AREY Group, which specializes in "lifestyle-rich, mixed-use developments," and manages over 2,000 multifamily units throughout the Southeast.

"As a team who lives and works in small town communities, we have been very intentional in our construction ensuring we monitor preservation at the intersection of growth," Travis Griffith of AREY Group said. "With Opelika, we are very pleased with the real demand for a modem multi-family option that retains the feel of an adaptive reuse building. We are looking forward to making the market demand a reality very soon."

The development for The Taylor began in earnest in early 2022 when the Opelika Planning Commission granted a conditional use approval for a 182 unit multi-family development, leading to social media backlash from Opelika citizens.
The Opelika City Council voted 3-2 in approving an ordinance that rezoned 7.8 acres at South 10th Street and Avenue C to downtown commercial. The council later approved, with another 3-2 vote, amending the downtown residential living ordinance to change a couple of regulations for the C-1 district, the district the property was rezoned to.

Elizabeth Boyle is the manager at CoLab, Co Working Concept in downtown Opelika and she said she is excited to have the Taylor apartments in downtown because of the growth it will lead to.

"Introducing more residential choices in our charming downtown area is crucial for further nurturing Opelika's community growth and ingenuity," Boyle said. "Opelika is a home for those rich in creativity, ideas, and warm spirits who lead their lives with a lot of heart and boldness, individually and as a collective unit. The Taylor will help foster even more of this spirit, and help Opelika continue to be the best it's ever been with each new day and each new development."

One of the items of contention with The Taylor has been the design and look of the buildings, and how they will fit in downtown Opelika, just on the border of the Downtown Historic District.

Lauren Lee and Reagan Kelshaw of Focus Design Interiors said the inspiration for the design of The Taylor came from Opelika's rich history land and the community that surrounds it.

"With that in mind, we wanted potential residents to walk in and feel as though it was something old made anew. Drawing inspiration from the railroad system, an integral part of Opelika's history, we included subtle nods to trains in our design with artwork, wood details, and iron features," Lee and Kelshaw said. "The Taylor was ultimately designed to feel classic and timeless with modern elements. We look forward to seeing our design come to life and become part of the Opelika community and history."

More information on leasing you can visit The Taylor's website or following the complex on social media @thetayloratopelika.

Original article can be accessed at: Opelika-Auburn News, Published 12/12/2023