The Kirkwood apartments prepare for grand opening

Jim Murphy, the president of CFC, Inc., had one goal when starting The Kirkwood apartments -- To provide a place for urban living in a small town setting. The apartment complex, located between Madison Street and College Avenue, is two blocks away from the Monroe County Courthouse. It will open for business Friday.\nThe main architect for the apartments said the project, which began 13 months ago, was completed without difficulty. \n"We had to cut through some limestone that was closer to the surface than we anticipated, but it wasn't really a problem," said architect George Ridgeway, owner of George Ridgeway and Associates.\nA 19th century classical revival style inspired the shape and set-up of the building.\n"We based a lot of the style for that building off of the Grand Plaza because we wanted something that would tie into downtown Bloomington really well," Ridgeway said.\nThe new structure, which has 59 units, could potentially house 98 people, and 30 percent of the new apartments already have been leased. Those apartments already leased will be occupied by a variety of people including corporate apartments, housing for professionals, graduate students and a few undergraduates.\nLiving at this downtown location, however, does carry a hefty price tag. The Continental, which is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom begins at $950 a month. The building's largest offering, the Presidential, includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a terrace for more than $2,000 a month. \nAlthough the prices are steep the complex is full of amenities. The most impressive of which includes nine-foot ceilings in the apartments, an underground parking garage and a state-of-the-art fitness center.\nSophomore Rebekah Trey said she isn't enthusiastic about the prices. She thinks students will not be able to afford living in the new development. \n"I wouldn't (live there). I pay $550 for a one-bedroom and I think that's plenty," Trey said. \nMurphy said he thinks The Kirkwood apartments will offer a different lifestyle with a lot of value.\n"When we first came up with the idea, we looked at all that downtown Bloomington had to offer, and we wanted to offer something unique, and I really think we've done that," Murphy said.\nThe apartments will be unveiled tonight in an after-hours business showing for the members of the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.\n"I feel this complex really fills a niche in downtown Bloomington," said Talisha Coppock, the executive director of the Bloomington Downtown Commission. "It's a place where all types of people can live, and it really adds to the skyline of downtown Bloomington." \nThe apartments will host an open house Friday.\n-- Contact staff writer Michael Pieper at mnpieper@indiana.edu .