If you want to live in Uptown, act fast. The new Rivers Edge Apartments are almost all rented

Nearly all the units at Rivers Edge Apartments in Uptown Bay City, completed at the end of 2021, are already rented.

The complex is attracting people who love the view of the water and the city, says Al Warr, Development Director for Shaheen Development. Warr says about 15 of the 60 apartments in the five-story building are still available.

The apartments are available in one- or two-bedroom units. Some apartments also include an office space.“We are 75% occupied,” he says, adding the residents filling the building range from young professionals to empty-nesters.

Rivers Edge opened in November and is just the latest in Shaheen’s residential and commercial developments in Uptown. Warr says there are more to come.

“There’s obviously a strong residential demand in the area,” says Warr.

The apartments inside Rivers Edge face the Saginaw River or Downtown Bay City.Whether it’s the walkability of the riverfront, the proximity to downtown, or the fact that an apartment near the waterfront can be affordable, people are drawn to the Uptown area.

“Views inside Rivers Edge are pretty spectacular,” says Warr. “It’s one of the best spots of land along the river there in terms of the outlook across to the park. It’s where the fireworks are set off, too. Those residents are going to have a real front row seat.”

The new building also offers residents a first floor gathering space, patio with outdoor furniture and grills, and is “a great spot to enjoy all the seasons.”

Warr says although the views on the river are a draw for some, he’s just as surprised at the number of people who prefer to see the city.

“We were surprised when we built the condos at 9 East Main, that there’s just as many people that want to look at the river as want to look at the city. You have the view of City Hall there, which is beautiful, too.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments range in size from just under 750 square feet to nearly 1,200 square feet. Each apartment features a private balcony, new appliances (including a washer and dryer) and a heated garage. Heat, water, and WiFi are included. For the work-from-home professional, Rivers Edge offers one-bedroom executive apartments with a separate office space.

Developers expected apartments facing the river to be popular, but have been surprised at the number of people who want to overlook Downtown Bay City.The 35-acre Uptown Development has been going up in phases over the last decade, says Warr, and they’re not done yet.

Phase II, which was capped off by Rivers Edge Apartments included Greystone townhouses, and The Village East and West, totaling 109 living spaces. Only a handful of the units are not occupied. Warr says plans are already on the drawing board for another residential building with a groundbreaking planned for the spring.