A residential project in the heart of Hertel Avenue is proceeding. Iskalo Development is heading the conversion of the former St. Margaret’s School at 1391 Hertel Avenue into 23 upscale 1 and 2 bedroom apartments spread over three floors. Fronting the building will be 2,000 square feet of first floor commercial space. The current street set-back will become either a patio or plaza space, depending on tenant.
Work on the interior of the building commenced several months ago and construction will be ramping up shortly with completion targeted for the spring of 2017. Iskalo will be giving the building a new name commensurate with its new look and identity.
The interior of the building will feature all new construction, with apartments ranging in size from around 750 sq. ft. up to approximately 1,350 sq. ft. Rents have not yet been decided upon but are expected to range from $1,100 to $2,100 per month and will include basic cable, water and parking. All apartments will have an in-unit washer and dryer. There will also be additional storage units in the building for rent for those residents that will want some additional space. A gated, fenced lot behind the building will provide at least one parking space per bedroom.
“Early interest in the apartments has been strong, particularly from folks looking to downsize from homes,” according to David Chiazza, EVP of Iskalo Development.
The 30,000 sq. ft. property was purchased from St. Margaret’s church in mid-2014. The three-story school building was originally constructed in 1917 as the church for the parish and had that role up until 1957 when the current church was constructed to the East. In 1967 an addition was added to the building fronting Hertel Avenue. Iskalo will transform the façade fronting Hertel, better integrating the 1967 addition with the older rear portion and giving its face some much needed curb appeal.
The church itself is still in operation and is not impacted by the conversion. Enrollment in the elementary school peaked at 600 students in the 1980s and had fallen to less than 100 when it closed in June 2012.
“We expect to have the web site up later this summer which will include images and floor plans, and we will be able to take reservations for units at that time,” says Chiazza.
Iskalo’s project joins other notable Hertel Avenue developments currently underway including plans for a second Lexington Coop, two apartment buildings by Karl Frizlen, and the second location of Deep South Taco. Many other establishments along Hertel have been opened and/or updated in recent months.