[media-credit name=’BRYAN FAUST/Herald Photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]The campus area will see more options for apartment housing when the 210 North Charter Apartments open this fall.

Construction of the six-story apartment complex will finish this summer, and the building will offer modern-style lofts for students.

"This is the only apartment like this," said Citywide Property Management Manager Fiona Peters, who manages the building. "It's rare for the city of Madison because it's meant to be like a New York City loft."

The final development plan had to go through the approval process with the city's Plan Commission twice before beginning construction.

The first plan presented to the Plan Commission last year featured a building with similar architecture, but 10 stories taller.

"[While] we got 100 percent approval from the Urban Design Commission … we went to the Plan Commission [the first time] and they felt like it didn't fit in the neighborhood," Charter LLC Member Jill Buechner said.

Buechner, who helped in the development of the plan, said the development firm went back to the drawing board and scaled down the size of the building.

"Since it didn't get approved, we came back with something smaller to fit in with the surroundings," she noted.

Neighborhood input was also important in the design of the apartment building, Buechner noted, as two neighborhood meetings were held to get residents' opinions.

The size of the original building did garner "mixed opinions" at the meetings, Buechner said.

"A lot of people really loved the design of the building and … liked that it was tall, and others thought it might be too tall," she added.

But since approval, both Peters and Buechner felt the apartment complex will add to the life of the city and the campus area.

Peters, who called the apartment complex "New York living in the heart of Madison," said while the prices of each unit are higher than some of the area apartments, the style of the units is worth it.

"Yes, it's a little bit pricey, but it's meant to be a little more upscale," she remarked.

Despite the higher unit price, the apartments are still affordable enough for students and should appeal to them, according to Buechner.

"I think our prices fall in line quite well, at least with the newer [apartments]," she said. "We are on the higher market, but it's still pretty competitive."

Some features of units — which range from studios to four-bedroom apartments — include nine-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and walls painted with various color schemes.

Buechner added the development firm is looking into getting retail and fast-food specialty stores on the first floor.

With the opening of the apartments, Buechner said the new building will be an asset to the downtown area.

"It adds some height and a little more nightlife to the area," she said, suggesting the area will be safer with more people in the area.

Peters said Citywide Property Management has already sold half of the units available.

Incoming residents have already signed leases and will be able to move into the building sometime before Aug. 5, Peters said, but noted the management company is always looking for interested tenants.

"It's right in the heart of campus," Buechner added. "It's a smaller building and with the appeal and the look … hopefully people will come in and be interested."