The latest apartment building in downtown Norfolk is nearly full.
Gravity on 400 opened in September. It will be at 97% occupancy by the end of May, said Raffaele Allen, chief operating officer of Marathon Development Group.
The $56 million project, which started in November 2021, took a bit longer than anticipated because of the post-COVID supply chain slowdown, he said.
“But it all worked out. It was a very rapid lease-up,” Allen said. “That’s almost 30 move-ins each month and only nine months to fill the building.”
A key factor is the location, he said. At 400 Waterside Drive, the complex is in the heart of the business improvement district across from Waterside.
The six-story building was named Gravity to reflect a sense of grounding, compared with the adjacent high-rise apartment tower, . The latter was revamped by Marathon in 2018. The Gravity location had housed the bank teller station, along with parking and asphalt, that was part of the Bank of America setup.
Gravity has 273 apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms, or 507 square feet to 1,326 square feet. Average rent ranges from $1,441 for a studio to $2,877 for a three-bedroom.
The pet-friendly complex features a pool, fitness center, Peloton studio and clubroom. There is a dedicated gated and attached parking garage and lockers for package deliveries. The complex features a unique courtyard that combines urban hardscape design on one side with a backyard feel on the other that Allen describes as “spectacular.”
“A lot of times, upper courtyards are on rooftops or second floors,” he said, “and they can feel like concrete jungles.”
Artificial turf, lush landscaping, large canopy trees, potted plants, hammocks, cornhole and grilling areas all make up this additional amenity.
“We tried to soften it and make it feel more welcoming by providing a large area like a backyard, but still providing that hip and chic kind of urban aesthetic that attracts people to downtown,” Allen said.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, Ի.ԲԱ𰪱辱dzٴDzԱԱ.dz
