Posh Marbleworks condos in the works

Author: Dina Magaril

New luxury condos in the Marbleworks complex are in the works. Construction on the newest addition to the Marbleworks community, a complex of condominium residences, began in the second week of September. The apartments should be finished by September 2007, according to Jen Etsy, the assistant for the complex's exclusive broker, Ingrid Jackson. The Redstone housing corporation that worked on such projects such as the Battell Hill Town homes located on Seminary Street in Middlebury is overseeing the new Marbleworks condominiums. The housing complex will include 30 apartments and 14 different floor plans.

Aside from spectacular views of the Adirondacks, Green Mountains and Otter Creek Falls, the Marbleworks residences offer buyers private balconies and underground parking as well as a keypad entry and intercom system. The development of the apartments focuses on expanding the town center, thereby creating an in-town community and not contributing to a sprawl, Jackson said.

"We weren't looking for a certain demographic [to move in], but for people who were looking for a more urban setting," said Jackson. When asked why Marbleworks is the ideal setting for condos, Jackson discussed the various conveniences of living in the town center. "You don't need to own two cars," she said, adding that the new condominiums are just a walk away from the variety of restaurants and specialty shops that line Middlebury's center. Furthermore, residents looking for entertainment need not look further than the College, where lectures and concerts abound.

The 30 units of the complex offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging from $239,000 for a one-bedroom to $870,500 for a three-bedroom, 3-5 bathroom apartment that also includes a den and a roof-top deck. Etsy said some interested buyers are looking at the condominiums as a possible primary residence while others are mainly interested in buying for investment purposes and plan to rent out the units.

Jackson that said the new residents included College professors, one family of a current Middlebury student and a Middlebury alum as well as several people looking to live closer to the downtown area. The condominiums are attracting higher income individuals because the apartments' price tags and the average citizen's income are incompatible. According to the U.S. Census taken in 2000 the median family income for Middlebury is $49,425 and the household income $39,710. Still, neighboring establishments such as the Marbleworks Pharmacy think the new residents will fit in perfectly and will help the community thrive. Cathy Friend, who works at the Marbleworks Pharmacy said,"[They're] in a good location in town and they'll really bring the value [of Marbleworks] up." Jackson agrees with Friend's assessment. "I think [the complex] will make Marbleworks a more vibrant community," she said.

Those interested in finding out more about the complex are encouraged to visit the site's showroom or the complex's website at www.marbleworksresidences.com.