January 29, 2013 Jan Moore

jmoore@connectstatesboro.com

    One of Statesboro's more unusual-looking apartment complexes is about to undergo a complete transformation. Located at 15 East Grady Street, adjacent to the McTell Trail, the brown, two-building, 12-unit complex is going to be fully renovated by Hendley Properties.
    Bryan Davis is a spokesman for the company and is managing the remodeling of the apartment buildings, as well as the construction of another 15 duplexes on South College Street, just behind the Midtown Market development.
    "There continues to be a tremendous amount of interest expressed to us about living in town," Davis said. "What we would ultimately like to do is create pockets, or what we are going to refer to as "villages" of housing for students and young professionals."
    The East Grady Street property will be referred to as Magnolia Village. The housing being constructed on South College Street will be called The Village at Midtown. Davis said Magnolia Village will be available for move-in beginning in June. The Village at Midtown will be ready for occupancy in July.
    Davis admits that one must have a vision of how the renovations will look, given the current state of the Grady Street property.
    "I believe these buildings were originally constructed in the late 1950s or early 1960s," he said. "They were well built, but time has taken its toll, and a complete renovation is in order."
    Davis said the intent is to keep the hardwood floors and original ceiling beams.
    "There is a lot of beautiful wood work in these apartments that we intend to keep," he said. "Each unit will have new kitchens and bathrooms, and it will feel and look like a brand new building that was just constructed."
    Hendley said he has always wanted to do some housing development in the downtown area, but the timing wasn't right until now.
    "I have had some property downtown, and have always had an interest in downtown, but the right opportunity just didn't present itself until now," he said. "I am very comfortable with both the Grady Street and College Street locations, and am optimistic that they will do well."
    Davis said he has already had 14 inquiries about the Grady Street property, and has pre-leased five units on South College Street.
    "This is very exciting," he said. "College upper classmen, graduate students, and young professionals are calling us. There is clearly a demand to live in town. We think that is a great thing."

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