House, Block Go Med On Vineyards Makeover

After several trips to Europe, Greg House and Beverly Block decided it was time to add a Mediterranean flare to one of Fayetteville’s generic apartment complexes.

The husband and wife team bought Garland Gardens from Steve Mansfield in October for about $1 million. Since then, they have spent about $1 million to renovate the two 20,000-SF buildings. The work included a whole new exterior skin that makes the two-story buildings look like they belong in Italy or the south of France.

“It’s real stucco,” House said. “It was vinyl siding before.”

Although the renovation won’t be complete until the end of September, House said they have 25 of the 48 apartments already leased. The one-bedroom unfurnished apartments rent for $450 per month (with water and gas for hot water paid). For a two-bedroom apartment, the cost is $575. Furnished apartments are also available.

Block and House have renamed the complex The Vineyards on Garland.

“We wanted something depicting the theme of the property,” House said.

The complex is Mediterranean in architecture, near the University of Arkansas farm and just down Arkansas Highway 112 from a vineyard.

House said the 34-year-old complex was “pretty rough” when the couple bought it.

“Basically, they’ve been gutted, and we started all over again,” he said.

The renovation included closing off hallways that went entirely through the building and using former hallway space for half bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Other Mediterranean amenities at The Vineyards include handmade distressed tongue-and-groove wooden doors with metal hinging and strapping as well as oil-rubbed bronze door hardware and light fixtures.

The old wooden balconies have been removed and replaced with covered balconies with concrete floors that have iron railings and metal roofs.

A security system has been added, and the perimeter will be landscaped outside a wrought-iron fence that encompasses the entire complex.

The apartments also include: tiled hallways, stairs, kitchen and bathroom floors; washers and dryers in each unit; wiring for DSL and cable television; and new cabinetry, toilets, sinks, faucets, countertops, hardware, carpet and paint.

Mansfield Property Management will manage The Vineyard.

House and Block have also partnered with Steve and Rexanne Mansfield to buy the Frisco depot on Fayetteville’s Dickson Street.