Above: Nate Pace, manager of both the Blaul and Churchill Lofts, talks about commercial space in the Churchill Lofts building at 116 N. Fifth St. in downtown Burlington. The downtown Burlington apartment complex is open for business. Photo/John Lovretta
By William Smith
The Churchill Loft’s 48-unit apartment complex at 100 N. Fourth St. (the corner of Fourth and Valley Street) is finally open for business — and the market-rate apartments are going fast.
The building houses 15 one-bedroom units varying in size from 674 to 1,140 square feet. Price-wise, the apartments range from $850 to $1,100 per month.
There are 30 two-bedrooms ranging from 867 to 1,685 square feet and priced from $1,160 to $1,550 per month. There are three, 1,560-square-foot three-bedrooms for $1,625 per month.
Each unit has a spacious bathroom, some with double sinks, and an open floor concept with high ceilings.
The Churchill Lofts also sports a first-floor commercial space consisting of four units, including the space formerly occupied by Mr. Moto’s Public House, which is nearly finished.
Above: The kitchen of an apartment in Churchill Lofts is shown. Photo/John Lovretta
The first floor is equipped with a recreation area, giving tenants access to the fitness center at Blaul Lofts at 425 Valley St. Y & J Properties recently finished converting the building into 38 apartment units, with a ground-floor commercial space currently occupied by Lynne’s Food Cravings and Parties Unlimited.
The Churchill building was constructed in 1907 and housed a factory before serving as the home of Churchill Drug Co. until 1928. Kevin Bangert, who owned Moto’s, sold the building to Y&J in 2018.
The Ebert building was constructed in 1900 as a wagon factory and blacksmith shop by John H. Ebert & Sons, which changed its name to Ebert Supply Co. in 1950. Ewinger Supply Co. purchased the building in 1957, and the building was used as storage until Ewinger sold it to Burlington Trading Co.
The developers have worked to restore or keep as many of the building’s original components as possible. That includes retaining the large wood columns and rafters, as well as 277 windows that were restored.
The units themselves include stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, an in-unit washer/dryer, historic windows, natural sunlight, hardwood floors, large bedrooms with closet space, a private parking lot, and open floor plans made for hosting friends and family,
Pets Allowed
One of the big selling points of the apartments is the pet-friendly rules. The grassy area between the Ebert and Churchill buildings will be transformed into a community green space where families can bring their pets, and those pets are allowed in the apartments as well.
Property manager Nate Pace said Churchill Lofts is equipped with security cameras accessible via key fobs. It was one of the most requested features – that and the pets.
“This is a big town for pets,” Pace said.
Fit on Fifth
In addition to the Churchill Lofts, Pace has also opened a new gym – Fit on Fifth. The boutique gym is free to tenants of the loft, and gym memberships for the general public are $28 per month. First responders, as well as members of the police, fire department, and corrections can get a membership for $30 every three months. Military veterans and those currently serving can use the gym for free.
The gym sports a unique look that consists of exposed brick and old wooden beams and includes free weights, a personal trainer, Matrix exercise machines, a Smith machine, two cable crossover machines, Muay Thai instruction, and heavy bags. The gym is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and is located at 104 N. Fifth St.
Above: Fit on Fifth, a gym located in the Blaul Loft building, in downtown Burlington. Photo/John Lovretta