A recently opened property within four blocks of the University of Tampa is offering extra-flexible living space options for students and non-students alike, complete with space-saving furniture pieces that transform from beds into sofas or desks.
In addition to traditional studio units and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, the 251-unit Niche in Tampa, Florida, includes 85 studio units equipped with modular furniture. The property, developed by Prospect, Illinois-based Wingspan Development Group and New York City-based financial firm ABC Capital Corp., was 75% leased by its first 100 days, according to a press release shared with Multifamily Dive.
The units with the transforming furniture made by Brooklyn, New York-based Ori were among the fastest-leasing at the complex, the release said. Options include the Ori Pocket Module, which contains a bed on one side and a desk, shelving and TV stand on the other, and the Ori Cloud Bed, which can be raised or lowered over a sofa. Both pieces can be operated via smart device and use less power than a microwave, according to Wingspan.
Located in Tampa’s North Hyde Park neighborhood, the surrounding area is “a destination for locals and tourists with its unique stores and restaurants,” said Jason Macklin, director of development for Wingspan, in the release.
The unit mix includes 33 traditional studios, 66 one-bedrooms, 66 two-bedrooms and one three-bedroom unit, in addition to the 85 Ori-equipped studios. All units offer 9-foot ceilings, in-unit laundry, programmable thermostats and stainless steel appliances, and most have a private patio or balcony.
Rent for units at Niche, which range from 326 to 1,173 square feet in size, starts at $1,335 per month.
“Early leasing data showed we were right on the money with Niche — there was a clear need for new-construction, attainably priced luxury rentals in this booming neighborhood,” Macklin said in the release. “Tampa’s rents have soared in recent years, with a median rent of around $1,760 per month. [Niche’s prices] don’t give renters sticker shock for an apartment in this area, even without a roommate.”
The building has a blue, white and wood-look facade and is laid out in a trapezoidal “M” shape, with two triangular courtyards. Amenities include a rooftop deck with views of Tampa’s downtown, a pool deck with cabanas and fire pits, a fitness center, a game room, a pet spa, a coworking center and community kitchens. The city’s Green Spine bike path is also located one block from the property.
