Twenty-five historic rental apartments go on the market this week in Uptown Martinsville, twenty of which are unique split-level lofts. This represents the third local property under the “Historic Collective” umbrella; rental residences specifically designed to address the local housing shortage faced by the area’s workforce community.
Located at the corner of Fayette Street and Moss Street, the building was formerly a Winn-Dixie grocery store and then a furniture store. Originally built in 1954 the building sat dormant since 2014 before JRS Realty Partners proposed converting it into a mixed-use building, including 25 residential units, 2 retail storefronts, and 9 new workspace concepts called “Make•Your•Space Studios,” scheduled to launch in August.
“As with each property, our goal has been to transition this building of historic relevance into attractive living environments, that are affordable to members of our local workforce,” explained John Garland, Partner of JRS Realty Partners. With stainless steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, individual heating and air-conditioning units with high-efficiency heat pumps, ceiling fans, a keyless entry system, and quartz kitchen countertops, the in-town apartments are indeed unique for the Martinsville area.
The lofts were designed with efficiency in mind. The split-level design creates an expansive feel. The bathroom, kitchen, and living space is on the first level, with an open dedicated sleeping loft above. Half of the apartments, referred to as the SkyLightLofts, feature a soaring skylight.
This project complements the community’s shared vision for Uptown’s future, bringing with it a financial infusion to local Uptown businesses. “This addition of twenty-five apartments will inject new life into Uptown Martinsville, complementing the upward momentum we’ve been experiencing,” Mark Heath, president and CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. (EDC), said, adding that “With these new residents comes new spending in the Uptown district.”
The lofts, described by the developers as being “in the center of it all,” are located a short walk to many of Uptown’s most popular businesses, including restaurants, bars, and workout facilities. The building is located across the street from Prillaman’s Market, less than a block from the Farmer’s Market, and a five-minute walk to The Ground Floor. There is a small public park across the street and public parking next-door. The property will feature an outdoor grill and picnic area for tenant use.
In addition to the apartments, nine new workspace units will be located on the lower level of the building, to be called “Make•Your•Space Studios.” Currently pre-leasing for occupancy in August, the ample and affordable units are specifically designed for small businesses, nonprofits, and local artists.
“These large spaces will provide infinite flexibility to the ‘doers and dreamers’ of our community, like start-ups fulfilling online orders, an instructor needing a larger studio, or the professional looking for a new office outside the house,” said JRS Realty Partner, Jim Cherney.
Other projects of the Historic Collective include the recently completed School Drive Apartments in Collinsville (formerly the John Redd Smith School), and the Fieldale School Apartments. The next project on track, on the opposite side of Uptown, is located on the corner of Church and Ellsworth streets. The former BB&T building will be reimagined as “One Ellsworth,” a mixed-use project providing 63 apartments, and over 21,000 square feet of commercial space, well-suited for retail businesses, such as a restaurant, sandwich shop, wine bar, city market, speakeasy, health club, daycare center, etc.
Those interested in loft rentals or with questions concerning retail opportunities may contact the Historic Collective Property Manager, Hunter Clark, by email at hclark@cherneydevelopment.com or by text or calling (276) 732-3126.
For more information, or to track the progress of all Historic Collective projects, visit the website at https://www.historiccollective.com, follow the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/historiccollective, or visit Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/historiccollectiveva/.
