March 28, 2024
A rendering of the Emerson Apartments complex getting built in Farmington Hills

An upscale apartment and townhome development targeted toward young professionals and empty nesters is one step closer to being built in Farmington Hills. 

City council cast a 6-1 vote approving a planned unit development plan, commonly called a PUD plan, for the project at a recent meeting. Councilman Ken Massey cast the dissenting vote. The plan still needs a final site plan approval from the city’s planning commission, which previously approved the PUD . 

“Younger people are not heading down to offices very much,” Mayor Vicki Barnett said. “When I look at these units and I see you’re targeting young people, I think these are also great for people who just want to sell their house and downsize.”

The proposal, from Farmington Hills Lofts LLC, is for a 6.2-acre parcel on Northwestern Highway between Greening Street and Highview Avenue, close to 14 Mile Road. The development includes a four-story, 250-unit apartment complex and a three-story, 66-unit town home community. 

If it’s built, the community would be called Emerson Luxury Lofts of Farmington Hills. Apartment and town home options would range between one and three bedrooms.

A rendering of the proposed apartment complex. The proposal also includes a townhome community.

The site is near business and retail, which will enable residents to enjoy a walkable aspect of the city. The complex will also include amenities like a gym, pool, courtyards and dog park. 

“We need to encourage walkability, we need to encourage biking,” John Ackerman of Atwell Homes said. “We need to think outside the box and make sure you’re offering up a lifestyle here that makes sense for anybody that’s going to be living here … These are high-end, high-quality lofts and the target demographic is going to be young professionals, millennials, in a higher income bracket.”


https://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/farmington-hills/2022/01/26/farmington-hills-considers-housing-aimed-millennial-professionals/9211948002/