Aerial view of apartment under construction.
By Elliott Brack | With the opening of the Gwinnett Braves baseball season at Coolray Field on April 9, there will be a different view from home plate. Looking toward the outfield, fans will see a new apartment complex just past the outfield wall, which is anticipated to be ready-for-occupancy by opening day. Some 40 percent of the units will have an unobstructed view of the field.
The Gwinnett Braves take on the Durham Bulls, in Class AAA play on opening day.
The Views at Coolray Field will be a 206 unit luxury apartment complex with the anticipated highest rentals in the county. Rates will be as high as $1,800 a month, and will average $1,500 a month. The five story housing development is being constructed by Brand Properties on a seven acre tract dead up against the baseball field fence. Some 40 percent of the units will have an unobstructed view of the field.
Literally, residents will be able to watch a game from their living room, balcony, grill area, or the swimming pool, at no charge. Apartments with views away from the ball field can see the game through a Club Room on the fourth floor. Glass doors in the Club Room can roll up to give an open-air view of the game, with some outside seating.
The apartments are being designed by the Alpharetta firm of Swell Design Studios. The general contractor for the work is Fortune Johnson of Atlanta. The apartments will come with “best in class” amenities. Leasing started on March 1, and as of March 19, some nine leases have already been signed, according to Brand Morgan, president of the company.
Inside view of model apartment.
The overall Village at Coolray Field will have 53,400 square feet of rental space, including 20,000 square feet of commercial space and a 130 room hotel. It’s anticipated that the entire village will be completed within 24 months.
The apartments are expected to be home to individuals working in Gwinnett, and in particular, to those with offices near the Mall of Georgia and Sugarloaf areas.
Michael Payne of Brand Properties anticipates that both young professionals and older residents preferring to lease rather than upkeep a home, will be the target audiences. Rental agreements will be for one year. He adds: “These people will have the means to enjoy fine apartments, yet do not want to have to upkeep a yard. We anticipate that 40-50 percent annually will leave, not for another apartment complex, but will be young professionals leaving to purchase their first home.”
Meanwhile, Brand Properties is also developing an apartment complex near Sugarloaf Parkway, which will have slightly lower rental rates. The firm is also doing work in the apartment field in Greenville, S.C., and in Savannah.
What will it take for a baseball play to hit a home run for The Views’ residents to catch? Payne estimates: “Our back-of-the-napkin match puts a home run into the swimming pool at about 400 feet. The right center field gap is 330 feel, and just guessing, The Views property line is 50-70 feet beyond that, and slightly elevated for fans sitting on the outfield lawn. He will have to be a big guy to put a home run into the pool.”
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