Work is nearing the finish line for Iola’s newest housing complex, Eastgate Lofts, which are nearly ready for occupancy.
Apartment manager Fred Apt said crews are handling the few remaining tasks necessary for the apartments to open, ideally by early October.
“The goal right now is to get the first floor done,” Apt said. “The appliances are here. Plumbers have been setting toilets, hot water tanks. The utility rooms are done.”
Each of the 12 units sports about 900 square feet of living area, two bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths and all-electric appliances.
“I have no idea what the utility bills would be, but they should be high-efficiency,” Apt said, pointing to the complex’s 6-inch walls, and 8-inch barriers between units.
All but one of the 12 apartments sports an identical layout, with a spacious floor plan connecting the kitchen and living areas, with the bedrooms, restrooms and utility room off to the side, and no wasted space. (The 12th has modifications for added accessibility for a disabled renter, Apt explained.)
The second-story rooms also sport balconies to give residents a bird’s-eye view of passing traffic along East Street.
Landscape crews were on hand last week to add a layer of sod behind the complex, as well as several ornamental plants and wrought-iron fencing.
The front of the complex (which faces south) still has some work to do in the parking lot, Apt said.
“They need another layer of asphalt before we can allow cars to park there.”
Stairwells also have yet to be completed, but should be done in short order.
“After that, it’s punch-list items, although most of it has been corrected as it goes.”
Other focal points this week are finishing up ceiling fans and light fixtures. Awnings for the highest windows were installed Monday.
AS OF TUESDAY, four of the 12 units are spoken for.
“We have four ‘for sures’ and three or four ‘maybes,’” Apt said.
Rent has been pegged at $685 a month.
To inquire about leasing, contact Apt at (620) 202-1026.
The apartment complex is the first of three planned additions to the old Allen County Hospital site at the intersection of First and East streets.
Plans are in the works for G&W Grocery to build a store south of the complex, and another eight-unit apartment complex east of Eastgate will be constructed when the existing 12 apartments are filled.
