Townhomes at The Lake District mixed-use development in Lakeland are now being offered for lease, though construction is still ongoing.
The Willows at the Lake Districtbegan leasing last month signaling
that the first move-ins are just around the corner, according to a news release. The development is on track for completion in 2027, according to the property management team.
After sitting dormant for 5 years, construction on the development revved up last spring,following the announcement of a new developer — Alpharetta, Georgia-based real estate investment and development firm, Trilogy Investment.
Trilogy's acquisition of The Willows, 9942 Geneva Street, from private construction lender firm Builders Capital — included construction of up to 109 build-to-rent townhouses on nearly 20-acres. Construction of the townhomes stalled in 2023 when Yehuda Netanel, original developer of The Lake District, filed for bankruptcy.
Trilogy initially had plans to rebrand The Willows at the Lake townhomes to REV3 at Garner Lake. However, Roxanne King of Meridian Property Management, told the Commercial Appeal on Sept. 16 that Meridian agreed with Trilogy to keep the Willows name in place. Meridian is managing the townhomes at The Willows at the Lake District.
"Today (August) is a milestone we have been working toward since day one, and the energy around The Willows has exceeded our expectations," King said in a release. "We are proud of the relationships we've built with the incredible businesses and partners at the Lake District, and we look forward to growing this neighborhood together for years to come."
Eight townhomes up for offer each month
King said the original nine townhomes that remained unfinished for several years, are in the final stages of completion. The townhome development will offer a mix of two-bedrooms with 2 1/2 bathrooms and three-bedrooms with 2 1/2 bathrooms. The two and three bedroom units will lease in the upper $2,000 range, according to King.
King said the remaining 100 townhomes will be a mix of three bedrooms with 2 1/2 bathrooms and four bedrooms with 2 1/2 bathrooms. The remaining townhomes will continue to become available on a rolling basis as construction completes, with eight new homes expected to be released each month.
The townhomes range from 1,559 square feet up to 1,999 square feet. Every home features a large two-car garage with ample storage, a covered front porch and a private ensuite primary bathroom. Community amenities will include a dog park, pickleball courts, a covered grill and gathering space, and greenspace throughout with walking access to retail.
“Since acquiring the project, the plan has always been to rent all 109 townhomes,” King told the Commercial Appeal. “We're still on track to complete the full project by mid-2027.
What led to the revival of The Willows at The Lake District?
In late February, the Lakeland Industrial Development Board unanimously approved a development agreement for new townhomes to be built at The Lake District within the Lakeland Gateway South TIF district. The once abandoned townhomes project had been resuscitated after almost five years.
Meridian Premier Homes, which is one of the major home builders in the Memphis area, was tapped to build and complete the roughly $40 million project. The Willows — situated within the Lakeland District — will allow residents access to restaurants and retail shops at the mixed-use development at Canada Road just off Interstate 40 at Exit 20. A hotel is also planned for the site.
The Willow will also be in proximity to the Lakeland School District and a short commute the greater Memphis metro area.
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Townhome project at Lake District in Lakeland has opened leasing window
