Greystar and joint venture equity partner Origin Investments have started construction at Ensley, a $66 million multifamily community set to add 277 apartment units across five stories at the corner of Weber and Cimarron streets in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The community is named after Elizabeth Piper Ensley, an African-American educator, activist, and suffragist in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. It will offer a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units ranging between 480 and 1,298 square feet in size, mixing neutral, earth tones with modern finishes and energy-efficient appliances. Amenities will include a co-working area, a fitness center, a pool and sky lounges, and a bike storage and wash area, as well as a six-story parking facility with 325 parking spaces.
“Ensley, which meets a growing demand for housing in the area, will provide a luxurious and energizing environment in a serene natural setting,” says Bo Chapman, managing director of development at Greystar. “With deep connections to nature, Colorado Springs has a heritage as an early health resort, and the focus on wellness and outdoor recreation here continues. Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Ensley will capitalize on and reflect the region’s abundant natural beauty and extraordinary quality of life.”
Greystar and Origin also announced the renaming of Fiona, previously known as Elan Pikes Peak, which has been under construction since the beginning of the year, also in downtown Colorado Springs. According to the joint venture, the new name, derived from the Scottish Gaelic word for “vine,” reflects the region’s beauty, the community’s own warm, elegant feeling, and the residential and industrial growth of Colorado Springs.
The community will offer 321 units across six stories, ranging from 480 to 1,363 square feet in size. Amenities will include three courtyards, a lap pool, a spa, a grilling area, a clubhouse, a game room, a sky deck, a two-story fitness center, a bike shop, and a dog park and dog wash.
“We’re excited about our partnership with Greystar and commitment to a second high-quality development in Colorado Springs,” says Tom Briney, managing director of Origin Investments. “Together with Greystar we’ve recognized the disparity between the caliber of jobs and people being attracted to Colorado Springs and the available rental housing stock to satisfy the marketplace. Ensley and Fiona will help to bridge that disconnect.”
Greystar Construction Group is the builder on both projects, and the architect is Meeks + Partners. Both communities are slated for completion in 2023 and will offer rents starting at $1,280.
