‘Big House’ apartments are new to Coeur d’Alene

Seven new apartment buildings are being constructed in Coeur d’Alene.

Each building in the Fairway Meadows complex will have 10 units, excluding one leasing office, that vary in size from 668 square feet to 1,690 square feet. All apartments have attached garages, high-speed Internet, nine-foot ceilings and floor plans for one, two and three bedrooms.   Washers, dryers and other kitchen appliances are included. The units will be available by lease only.

Scott Krajack of Viking Homes, the general contractor and building owner, said the units don’t look like traditional apartments, but instead like the “Big House” concept designed by architect Humphreys and Partners Architects, based in Dallas. “Big House” apartments are designed and built to look similar to luxury townhouses or upscale single-family homes.

“These will definitely be nicer than most apartments, and also very close to Ramsey Park and the Kroc Center,” Krajack said.

Ramsey Park is a 30-acre park with softball diamonds; volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts; soccer fields; and picnic facilities. The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center is a fitness, aquatic, and performing arts center.

Viking Homes, based in Hayden, builds mostly single-family homes in northern Idaho. However, the company has also constructed multi-family units on other land acquired over the years near subdivisions Viking has constructed.

“There seems to be pent-up demand for apartments, mostly because none were built in recent years because financing wasn’t available,” Krajack said.

Construction costs aren’t being disclosed. Construction started over the summer and is scheduled to wrap up in spring 2014.