354-unit Apt. Project Proposed for Avondale

By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX 
A new multifamily residential development is being proposed for the NWC of Avondale Boulevard and the Corporate Drive alignment, also known as The BLVD east of Avondale Boulevard. 
Property owner and developer, Lervick Investments, LLC requested approval of a development plan for the 354-unit apartment community on the 16.44-acre site. The City of Avondale heard and recommended approval at its July 15th Planning Commission meeting. 
The project, called Avari Apartments, is planned as an urban-form apartment community, and will include a mix of 111 one-, 211 two-, and 32 three-bedroom dwelling units. The project is expected to be built in a single phase. 
According to the documents submitted to the city, there will be a total of 40 buildings proposed for the project. 28 of the buildings will house the residential units and will range in size from 24.5 feet to 55.2 feet. Other buildings include eight garage buildings, which will house eight single-car garages each, a clubhouse/leasing office, separate fitness building, pool bath building and maintenance building. These lower buildings will range in height from 24 feet to 38.2 feet. 
The taller buildings will be, “strategically located adjacent to Avondale Boulevard and the eastern portion of Corporate Drive to present an appearance of a dense, urban development,” the documents state. “Lower buildings… are located along the western portion of Corporate Drive, adjacent to 117th Avenue along the property’s western edge, and internal to the project.” 
The project will incorporate approximately 160KSF of open space, most of which will be centrally located in the 2.5-acre amenity zone. Amenities include two linear dog parks, artificial turf putting green, multi-use paths, barbeque grills and seating/lounge areas, and two pool areas. A vertical water feature will be included at the front entrance. 
Access to the site will be from a primary entrance on Corporate Drive, west of Avondale Boulevard. In addition to the eight garage buildings, there will be 64 “tuck-under” single-car garages, 231 covered carport spaces and 306 uncovered spaces for a total of 663 onsite parking spaces. Parking areas will be located interior to the project and hidden from street view. 
The Avari Apartments project still needs to go before the Avondale City Council. According to Lervick Investments, LLC, they anticipate starting construction in September.