New 240-apartment midrise in Mount Pleasant goes distinctly upscale

Say you want a top-of-the-line place to lease and can choose the perks. What would they be?

Perhaps a swimming pool with cabanas, high-end fitness center on par with a commercial gym, postal room, security via key fobs to patrons and 24-hour controlled access, scenic views from porches and balconies, luxurious interiors with top-notch kitchens, washer and dryer hookups and available storage space. Hey, maybe even a coffee shop close by.

If that works for you, then the property is already here. Central Square Apartments, located in the Watermark mixed use residential and commercial village in Mount Pleasant, has one-, two- and three-bedroom properties for lease. They are sized at 886 to 1,417 square feet and rent for $995 to $1,700 a month.

The complex, which eventually will have 240 units, has a modern interior look, what with an open layout, stained concrete floors and high, 9-11 foot ceilings. Other popular features are kitchens with granite countertops, 42 inch cabinets, tile back splash and smooth top range, microwave and dishwasher; garden tub and separate shower in the master suite; and berber carpet in the bedrooms.

The developer Beach Watermark LLC is also looking at a program where renters can customize their apartments via "valued-added upgrades" such as paint schemes and extras, says Dan Doyle, who is The Beach Co.'s vice president of development.

Parking is located behind the apartments. Six buildings are expected to be constructed, and three structures are already built. "There's definitely a different level of quality," Doyle says. "Everything is brick and structural steel, all impact resistant."

The sales office is situated on the first floor of the main building. Also on the first level is Central Post where all the mailboxes are located, the Rinse laundry, a conference room and a fitness locale with all the modern equipment. There's wireless access throughout the first floor.

The Club likewise is located on the ground floor of the main building. Opening to the swimming pool and deck, it's a large meeting area with bar, pool table, couches and TV where people can host parties or reserve for other functions. A few rooms away, there's a media center with big-screen TV to watch movies and sporting events. "The amenities package is unmatched," he says.

Optional perks include detached garages that can be leased for $125 a month and storage rooms priced at $25 and $60 a month apiece.

Beach Management is heading up leasing and overseeing the property's maintenance. Debbie Lerner, whose office is in the sales center, is the site property manager.

"It doesn't have the feel of a traditional suburban apartment community," Doyle says. "It has more urban features."

Agents meanwhile are finding tenants for a three-story building already built across the street that will include retail space on the first floor. A casual restaurant is one of the expected businesses. It could open within 90 days. Upper floors will be residential.

Leases at Central Square began in January. "We want to get the right mix, to offer as much variety as possible," Doyle says. Renters likely will include older people who are downsizing and professionals looking for different styles in rental space, he says.

DesignWorks, the landscaping consultant, lined the main building with disease- and drought-resistant oaks from nurseries. The oaks are expected to grow at identical rates.

"There's a little bit of a Disney feel to it," Doyle says. "We are creating something not there now."

Central Square Apartments has ingress and egress in two places. Take Bowman Road from U.S. Highway 17 across Chuck Dawley Boulevard. Turn left at Watermark. Make a right to Central Square. Or, follow Rifle Range Road north past the Bowman Road roundabout. Turn left at Shellpoint on Appling Drive. Stay on Appling through the neighborhood to Watermark. Central Square is on the left, 1280 Appling Dr.

For more information, go online to www.thebeachcompany.com or call (843) 737-9200.

Reach Jim Parker at 937-5542 or jparker@postandcourier.com