Complex Gets Upscale Facelift, Name Change

One of the once-great party Meccas of Fayetteville is getting a makeover.

Formerly known as College Park and more recently as Garden Park Apartments, Fayetteville developer Greg House and his partners are sinking $6.4 million into refurbishing every unit “from the Sheetrock out.”

House’s group has also decided to rename the complex to reflect the more modern, upscale apartments, but they haven’t settled on it yet.

Located just a couple blocks north of the University of Arkansas, the 156-unit complex suffered from absentee landlords and took a beating over the years from transient college students. The large four-bedroom apartments were often the site of well-attended weekend gatherings.

With an eye toward protecting a sizable investment, which includes purchasing the property for $8 million from Steve Mansfield in June of 2007, House has a thorough screening process for tenants.

He said he checks references and does credit and criminal background checks as well.

House has subdivided every four-bedroom unit into either one- or two-bedroom units, adding 96 units for 252 overall. Around 180 are complete and the complex is about half full. House expects all the renovations will be complete by mid-December.

Brand new fixtures, cabinets, carpet, paint, crown molding, tile and stainless steel appliances have been installed in every unit for a modern look.

House said that the one-bedroom units are about 415 SF and rent for $550. The two-bedroom units range from 725 SF to 760 SF and can rent for between $595 and $725 depending on the balcony, pool view or third-floor vaulted ceilings.

About 20 percent of the tenants are students now, House said, and the majority are married and/or working students between ages 25 and 35.

“There’s a lot of folks who have sort of grown up, but still enjoy being around the college atmosphere and being close to Dickson Street,” he said. “It is a great location with great amenities.”