Some older apartment complexes are renovating their facilities to offer potential tenants a fresh appearance.
“We’re not the newest apartment community in Chattanooga, but our goal is to be the nicest in Chattanooga,” said Don Lippman, president of DEL Development Corp., which owns The Reserve at Lakeshore.
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Staff Photo by Gillian Bolsover -- Property manager Kenna Rominger works in the offices of The Reserve at Lakeshore. The property, which overlooks Lake Chickamauga, has undergone extensive renovations.
DEL has spent close to $3 million to refurbish The Reserve over nearly six years, Mr. Lippman said. Improvements include a refurbished pool area, an upgraded office, revamped laundry room and a new fitness center, said Kenna Rominger, the property manager.
The renovations were crucial, Mr. Lippman said, since many of The Reserve’s tenants could easily afford a home, but they want a resort-style place to live with no maintenance, he said. The units don’t have 9-foot ceilings or crown molding, which are common in newer apartments, he said, but the upgrades make The Reserve competitive with new apartments.
The Reserve spent $20,000 on furniture for the pool area, Mr. Lippman said, and the chaise lounges cost $300 each.
Apartments are upgraded whenever a tenant moves out, Mrs. Rominger said, including new countertops and new appliances. The pool area’s upgrade, which overlooks Chickamauga Lake, allowed The Reserve to charge $500 memberships to outsiders, she said. The Reserve has sold all its available memberships for the year.
Daisy Maurya-Smith is one of The Reserve’s tenants. The single mother said her son especially enjoys the swimming pool. And, her apartment has new countertops, she said.
The Reserve is on Lake Resort Terrace overlooking the Chickamauga Dam near Access Road and Highway 153. The complex includes an on-site restaurant/lounge. The property originally was condos dating to the 1970s, Mr. Lippman said. The complex has a southern view of the lake, which allows the maximum amount of sunlight, he said.
The Villas at The Riverview Grande and The Riverview Grande are two other older apartment complexes that have underwent extensive remodeling to stay competitive in the rental market, said Manager Sandra Derring. The sister properties have spent more than $1 million to renovate the office, catering room, club room and upstairs meeting area, she said.
The Riverview complexes are located off Natchez Circle in North Chattanooga. The office is in a former mansion.
The complexes have 186 apartments, Ms. Derring said, and while there are no current vacancies, they are accepting reservations since apartments may become available soon.
