Construction is wrapping up on the Wonder Bread Lofts project in Italian Village, with leasing set to begin within the next two weeks. Developer Kevin Lykens says that they hope to bring the first 20 units online by the end of May, and to be finished with all construction by the end of July.
The project will feature a 2,500 square foot restaurant space along with 48 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments. A 1,000 square foot event venue, originally part of the plans when they were first announced last May, has been scrapped in favor of additional apartments. Neighborhood concerns about parking plus the current demand for apartments in the area were the two main factors in the decision, according to Lykens.
Apartments will range from 560 to 1,400 square feet, with rents starting at $995 per month and going up to $2,200. Lykens has been pleased by the level of interest so far and expects the leasing to go quickly.
“With no advertising, we’ve received an overwhelming number of inquiries in the project,” he explained. “I think people are really interested in the setting, and are looking for something unique.”
He emphasized that out of the 66 units, there are 55 different floor plans, and that all of them have high ceilings and retain some of the original features of the former bakery; exposed brick, steel beams and columns, large windows, and polished concrete and red brick floors.
Many of the units also feature outdoor living spaces; a courtyard was created in the middle of the building by taking a portion of the roof off, and the former loading docks have been flattened out to provide private patios for three ground-floor units.
As for the restaurant space, Lykens says there has been some interest, but that are being selective, “trying to get the perfect fit for the building.”
More information about the Wonder Bread Lofts can be found at www.wonderbreadlofts.com.
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Photos by Logan Miller.
