Norfolk’s apartment complexes development blitz gained further traction as the city council passed this week a rezoning resolution that would pave the way for the construction of the $20.7 million Meadowood Apartment in North Military Highway.

The 180-unit luxurious complex would be the seventh to get the nod of the city government for the past year and most have commenced construction activities while another two apartment complexes were being discussed for possible approvals.

SL Nusbaum Realty vice president Taylor Franklin said that the Meadowood gated community would sit right on a sprawling 7.7 acres of industrial land at International Boulevard, just beside Kmart and a nearby apartment compound.

Once completed, Franklin said that possible rent rate for a unit in Meadowood would hover around $1450, adding that more similar complexes could still rise in the area as “the apartment market in Hampton Roads remains very strong.”

He added that Nusbaum’s previous development projects have been warmly embraced by the community with its SouthWind Apartments already sold out while both The River House Apartments and the Wells Fargo Center were nearing sold out status, which should be realized by October this year.

Three other complexes, namely the Promenade Pointe, the Belmont and 201 Twenty One, with combined total offering of about 400 units were either completed or would start operating this year, improving the city’s apartment units by up to 1300.

And more apartments were being lined up for future developments as US Development led the way by pushing forward a proposal to convert a downtown property into a 90-unit apartment building though negotiations on the proposed project are still underway.

Also, Collins Enterprises is planning to build the 189-unit Landmark at Talbot Park but the project stalled at the moment due to oppositions raised by civic groups in the area.

Collins originally intended to construct condominiums on the property and that proposal was already approved back in 2008 but the developer changed its mind and revised its initial project plans, adding to the uncertain future of the project.

Bonaventure Realty Group president Dwight Dunton said that numerous would-be homeowners were having second thoughts in buying a property and instead opted to rent for now, pointing out that “many people prefer renting to buying because of the uncertainty of the housing market.”

Franklin added that service members stationed in Hampton Roads boosted the area’s rental market as they found it wiser to simply rent, especially for officers expecting a short stint on the military installation.

City vice mayor Anthony Burfoot expressed satisfaction that the apartments offered by Norfolk were high-end enough with facilities that could rival those usually found on condominium units.

Burfoot added his stamp of approval for the Meadowood project, believing that the area would start attracting investments once the apartment complex has commenced operations.