Milano Lakes apartments evoke single-family living

As the market for rental property grows, floor plans designed to resemble a single-family home are drawing renters to Milano Lakes, a new luxury apartment community off Collier Boulevard, north of Rattle-Snake Hammock Road at The Lord's Way in South Naples.

"When we began creating the plans for Milano Lakes, we knew we were going to see renters who wanted more than the type of apartment that was prevalent a few years ago,” said Gary Hains, vice president of FL Star, developer of the community. “More people are choosing to rent, and they are coming from every age group. Their preference is for living quarters that have the design and amenities of a single-family home.”

According to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau housing data, more U.S. households are headed by renters than at any point in the last 50 years, Hains notes. “The growth is not only among young adults, who have been a large part of the traditional rental market, but among every age group. For us, that meant designing apartments that would accommodate family lifestyles at many stages of life.”

At Milano Lakes all of the floor plans include a master suite with a walk-in closet and a private bath in the two- and three-bedroom designs. There is a separate laundry room, duplicating the convenience found in a single-family home. The contemporary open plans offer a living area and a defined dining space as well as counter dining at the island kitchen. Each home has a balcony opening from the living room.

“The plans provide a comfortable arrangement, with the master suite separated by the living area from the other bedrooms, offering additional privacy,” Hains said. “The finishes in the apartments include the same type of granite countertops and stainless appliances people want in a single-family home. We are getting enthusiastic response from our first residents for the arrangement.”

Added to the appeal of the apartment designs is the array of resort-type amenities in the community. Designed as an active community, Milano Lakes includes a 5,488-square-foot clubhouse  with a free-form swimming pool and pool deck complete with cabana striped market umbrellas. The fitness center offers all of the most popular apparatus.

The interior of the clubhouse was created by Design Group West with architectural ceiling details and a custom entertainment wall.  A special feature is a built-in banquette seating detail for lounging and conversations around a full-size pool table. A sports court and children’s playground round out the amenities.

Located on a 23-acre site, Milano Lakes will include 296 apartment homes in eight buildings when completed offering one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Elevators in each building make apartment access convenient. Within the community, 96 detached garages are planned.

Online at milanolakes.com.

Milano Lakes is being developed by an affiliate of FL Star, a conglomerate of real estate entities led by Gary Hains and David E. Torres.

Other projects by FL Star include Sapphire Cove, a new community of single-family homes off Collier Boulevard in Naples, and Arrowhead Reserve, a community of single-family homes in Immokalee.

FL Star also provides management services for commercial and industrial buildings for real estate owners and condominium associations including maintenance, collection of rents and financial reporting.