CT apartment complex banks on array of social amenities — cardio, games parlor, saltwater pool

With a soaring lodge-themed entrance, separate cardio and athletic studios, a community garden, games parlor and a saltwater pool, The Olmsted in Farmington is debuting with a heavy emphasis on amenities to distinguish itself from scores of other freshly built apartment complexes in the state.

Builders Ari and Niko Koutouvides are banking on an uncommonly extensive mix of social-themed activities spaces to appeal to the tenant base they envision: homeowners downsizing, young families, and staffers and students from UConn Health and other nearby medical centers.

The first phase of the 204-unit complex overlooking Batterson Park has been occupied since August, but the Koutouvides’ company, Skala Partners, only recently got its the final occupancy certificate for the most recently built apartments. Skala plans a ribbon-cutting in the early spring.

From the street, the four-story building looks pretty much the same as the dozens of other modern mid-rise complexes that have been risen across Greater Hartford over the past six years. That construction wave added scores more around Connecticut, adding an estimated 14,000 apartments amidst the serious housing shortage.

But inside is a different story: A stone facade wall and gas fireplace dominate the spacious two-floor entry area that’s decorated with a series of leather chairs and couches. To the sides are a six-stool bar where tenants can serve as hosts, an eight-seat formal dining room with butler’s pantry, an elaborately decorated parlor and an enormous social hall that does triple duty as games room, theater and music-listening center.

Overlooking the Great Hall are chairs and tables for work-from-home tenants, spread through the building are the two large fitness centers, a package center and a dog spa.

The courtyard offers more: The pool lined by cabanas, a deck with gas grills, a firepit, a covered terrace with another fireplace and swinging chairs, and hammocks spaced across a lawn area. There’s space for about 30 community gardens along with a fenced-in dog park.

In all, the Koutouvides brothers put about 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space toward amenities.

Developers who’ve focused on upscale units drawing market-rate rents in the past several years agree that amenities are a key part of the construction and marketing plan. But they’re costly and can be subject to changing consumer preferences; intercoms and tennis courts fell out of favor years ago, while high-speed internet and pickleball courts have become ultra-popular.

The Koutouvides, who recently built a pair of high-amenity complexes in affluent Fairfield, chose the Olmsted’s features to appeal to a range of prospective tenants. For busy medical staffers and students, the indoor lounge areas, alcoves and game spaces are intended to provide chances to meet people and socialize. For retirees who are selling their single-family homes, the family dining room and kitchen — which can be reserved in advance — and entertainment center can be essential.

“You have the older demographics who want to host their families, you have younger families with their kids who want the child’s birthday party here, you have UConn (medical) residents who are studying and have friends come over to cram for their tests,” said Nakita Norton, property manager at the complex.

“And the residents really socialize together, we have bingo, every Friday they come down and have drinks together, they walk each other’s dogs,” she said.

“People are looking at apartment living very differently than 20 or 30 years ago, when it might have been looked at as a downgrade in lifestyles,” Ari Koutouvides said. “A lot of people now are renters by choice, they want to be in this environment and have a high quality of life.”

It’s comes, of course, at a price. Current rates are $2,265 for studios, $2,565 for one-bedroom units, $3,425 for two-bedroom models and $4,375 for a three-bedroom. In addition, there’s a $95 monthly fee covering gas, water, sewer, trash and GoNetSpeed internet service, and additional fees for residents who want to lease a separate storage area or a garage space. Outdoor parking is provided, but pets incur additional fees.

Individual apartments feature stainless steel appliances, washers and dryers, stovetops with gas burners and more.

Skala Partners will know in about nine months whether their emphasis on amenities and community atmosphere pays off. About a third of the complex is leased now, and agents are looking to get all apartments occupied by the end of the year.

The Koutouvides brothers, who grew up in Plainville, contend that their connection to the area can only help.

With less than a year of operations, they’ve already gotten the attention of the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, which awarded Skala its Community Business Award based on civic engagement and community partnerships.

“We’re the developer and the construction manager and the ownership. We think of it as building a very large home for ourselves,” said Niko Koutouvides. “So you take pride in the details and pay attention to the quality of the work. We’re not just building it as fast as possible, getting it leased and then running off. Retaining the clientele is really important.”