While Huntsville is on the fast track to building residential communities to meet the needs of its growing population and economic growth, Capstone Communities is completing one of Huntsville’s most unique housing developments at the Cottages at Old Monrovia.
The 25-acre development off Old Monrovia Road, just blocks from Huntsville’s MidCity district, turns apartment living into a classic American neighborhood with 275 standalone cottages, private fenced-in backyards, pristine sidewalks, and individual curbside parking.
“The cottage architecture feels like a home and not a temporary place to stay,” said John Acken, executive vice president of development for Capstone Communities. “The unattached single-family style is more like living in a neighborhood than in an apartment complex with walking paths, a playground, a community swing, and plenty of open green areas for gathering with neighbors for a barbecue.
“Unlike traditional apartments, every cottage is somewhat unique in its own way, whether it is through the use of color or a slight variation in the façade – each has that little something that gives it individuality like a true home always has.”
He said the attention to detail and focus on quality like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and 18- to 20-foot vaulted ceilings are unlike any other rentals in the area and adds real value for the resident.
“It is a style that is timeless and universally popular throughout the Southeast,” he said.
Additional upscale amenities include wood-grain flooring, in-unit washers and dryers, a smart home technology package, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style pool, centralized clubhouse, dog park, electric car charging stations, a car care center, a pet spa, 24/7 on-call maintenance and optional enclosed garage parking.
Capstone Communities has been building on-campus and off-campus housing in college towns all over the country since its founding in 1990; however, Capstone has designed the Cottages at Old Monrovia to attract a much broader tenant than the average college student.
“Huntsville is a market where, even though we are close to UAH, we are just as close to Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park,” said Acken. “The Cottages at Old Monrovia are attracting young professionals that have graduated from college and are starting families; families who are transferring into the area and need a homey place to live while they look to buy a house, build, or remodel a home.
“We are even attractive to seniors who are downsizing. In fact, seniors are a very big component of this type of development because the units are predominantly one-story with no steps, and you can park on ground level and walk comfortably up to your door.”
The Cottages at Old Monrovia have a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages, lofts, and carriage house-style unattached homes.
Pricing is based on traditional three-story walk-up apartment complexes throughout the area, with a premium add-on because of the private back yard.
“Renting at the Cottages at Old Monrovia is very much like renting a house in a single-family neighborhood,” said Acken.
Currently, about one-third of the development is complete and available for leasing. The lofts overlook the swimming pool and feature an upstairs bedroom overlooking the living area with 18-foot cathedral ceilings. They will be open to lease by the middle of this month. The remaining property is expected to be complete and leasing in October.
