FirstWorthing, the Dallas-based development company that built The Venue, is expanding the apartment complex to sites of former businesses around the North Gate area.
FirstWorthing also owns property near Highland Road and has undefined plans to construct a combination of businesses and housing.
“It’s a convenient location,” said Samantha Sterling, manager for The Venue. “It’s one block from campus, and students can walk to class.”
Sterling said there are only four beds left to lease in the entire complex. The Venue leases housing to students by bedroom rather than by apartment.
Construction began last week on a new 160-unit complex called University House at Highland on Highland Road across from the shopping center that includes Chelsea’s, Inga’s Subs and Salads and Roly Poly, said Taylor Stone, senior vice president of investments at FirstWorthing.
The company also owns the shopping center and is making plans to develop it with businesses and separate apartment units that will not be additions to The Venue.
FirstWorthing has also scheduled construction to begin this month for a 21-unit addition to The Venue located on the east side of the complex adjacent to the parking garage.
The developers will also build a combination of student housing and businesses on the Arzi’s and Rocco’s properties on Chimes Street, as well as the lot next to Subway and the former McDonald’s property on State Street. The buildings on these sites have already been demolished.
Construction for these new developments will begin in early 2006, Stone said. Stone did not specify what businesses will be built on these properties or how many apartment units will be built on the sites.
Contact Leslie Ziober at [email protected]