As spring gets underway and temperatures begin to warm, new housing projects are popping up around the country.
There are positive signs for multifamily builds recently: Apartment construction rose on a monthly and yearly basis in January, buoying residential building overall, according to HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest residential construction report released March 12. That happened even though many parts of the country were grappling with record-breaking cold weather that brought construction activity to a halt.
Despite the Fed keeping borrowing rates flat and general economic uncertainty, multifamily developers continue to build. Read on about three multifamily developments that have just broken ground in Texas, Utah and Virginia.
West Houston garden-style project
Location: West Houston
Developer: OHT Partners
Units: 396
Cost: Not disclosed
Austin, Texas-based multifamily developer, construction and investment firm OHT Partners broke ground March 20 on a new apartment community in West Houston designed to serve young professionals, according to a press release shared with Multifamily Dive. It has yet to be named.
Designs for the apartments range from one to two bedrooms with 702 to 1,256 square feet, and some feature smart locks, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats as well as private yards, per the release. Community amenities include a co-working area, a 24-hour fitness center, a clubroom kitchen, package lockers and locker room, two resort-style pools with cabanas and grills, a game lawn, a dog park, a pickleball court, electric vehicle chargers and Wi-Fi.
“We’ve experienced great success with our first phase and continue to believe in the tremendous growth along the Katy Freeway with employers relocating from all over the MSA to this area,” said Jackson Simons, principal with OHT Partners, in the release. “Our cost effective, low density, three-story garden design allows us to offer top of market finishes at a reasonable price point.”
The site is located near offices for Baker Huges, Flour & Frost Baker and Marathon Oil Corp., as well as Houston Methodist West and Texas Children’s West. OHT expects construction to wrap in late 2027.
Chapter Salt Lake City
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Developer: CRG and Cole West
Units: 251, with 693 beds
Cost: Not disclosed
Real estate development and investment firm CRG and developer Cole West announced March 11 the groundbreaking and full capitalization of Chapter Salt Lake City, a transit-oriented student housing development near the University of Utah.
The six-story community at 410 S. 900 East marks CRG’s latest expansion of the Chapter brand into one of the nation’s fastest-growing university markets. The project is situated directly across from the TRAX-900 East & 400 South light rail station, which offers students a one-stop commute to campus. It’s a 10-minute walk to campus and a five-minute walk to the Trolley Square retail, dining and entertainment district.
Plans feature a mix of fully-furnished studio, one-, two- and four-bedroom residencesShared amenities include a fitness center with a pilates studio, sauna, ski simulator, library and study spaces, soda shop, rooftop lounge and pool and hot tub.
The University of Utah pairs top-tier academics with an outdoor lifestyle that is especially compelling to Gen Z students, according to J.J. Smith, executive vice president and partner at CRG.
“A large part of the appeal is the incredible access to the hiking and biking trails of the Wasatch Range as well as proximity to world-class skiing in Park City and Deer Valley,” Smith said in the release. “We plan to tailor wellness activities and promotional events to take full advantage of these tremendous amenities and provide our residents with an unmatched collegiate experience.”
Delivery is targeted for summer 2028.
Mixed-use development in Scott’s Addition
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Developer: Hoffman & Associates and DeBartolo Development
Units: 366
Cost: $144 million
A major mixed-use project encompassing a full city block just broke ground in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia, according to a March 18 press release shared with Multifamily Dive. The seven-story building includes more than 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space and is designed to support an active, walkable lifestyle.
The residential community will feature 20,000 square feet of amenities, including landscaped courtyards, an expansive pool deck and indoor lounge, dining and event spaces. The project marks an important milestone in Hoffman’s growing presence in Richmond and its emphasis on creating thoughtful mixed-use communities across the Southeast, Hoffman & Associates President Maria Thompson said in the release.
“With capital markets tightening and many developments paused nationwide, this groundbreaking underscores the strength of our partnership with DeBartolo, the fundamentals of the Richmond market, and the long-term vision both firms share for resilient, community-driven growth,” Thompson said.
Construction is anticipated to be complete in early 2028, with leasing expected to begin in late summer 2027. Initial resident move-ins are anticipated in fall 2027.
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