St. John Properties and Somerset Companies Break Ground on $148 Mil. Aspen at Greenleigh Multifamily Community

The Aspen at Greenleigh multifamily community is expected delivery in late 2027 in Middle River Maryland's Greenleigh mixed-use community.
The Aspen at Greenleigh multifamily community is expected to deliver in late 2027 in Middle River Maryland’s Greenleigh mixed-use community, bringing the total number of multifamily units to nearly 1,020.

335-Unit luxury apartment community with oversized living spaces and superior amenities to join Arbors Greenleigh and The Berkleigh at 1,000-acre mixed-use community in Middle River

BALTIMORE, MDSt. John Properties, Inc. and Somerset Companies LLC have begun construction on Aspen at Greenleigh, a $148 million, 335-unit luxury multifamily community located within the 1,000-acre mixed-use Greenleigh community in northern Baltimore County. A joint venture between the two real estate companies, the Middle River project features oversized studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom living spaces ranging from 599 to 1,669 square feet, and a full complement of resident-based amenities. Aspen at Greenleigh represents the fifth multifamily project for the partnership, and was designed by Architects Collaborative, with Aumen Asner overseeing the interior design. St. John Properties’ in-house Multifamily Construction division led by Michael Poirot is serving as the general contractor. The professional team also includes project architect KTGY, structural engineer Kline Engineering, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer Phillips Gradick, civil engineer Stahly Engineering & Associates, and property manager Bozzuto Management.

Upon this project’s expected delivery in late 2027, Greenleigh will feature nearly 1,020 multifamily units. In 2011, construction was completed on The Arbors Greenleigh, a 365-unit multifamily building. The Berkleigh, a 317-unit multifamily community, was delivered in 2017. These residential products supplement the townhomes and single-family homes developed by Elm Street Development, DRB Homes, Lennar, NVHomes, Ryan Homes, and Williamsburg Homes, and support the more than 3.5 million square feet of commercial space developed by St. John Properties. Upon full build-out, Greenleigh will contain approximately 3,300 residential units and more than 10,000 residents, with over 8,000 people working within the community.

“The leasing pace, the near 100 percent occupancy level of Arbors Greenleigh and The Berkleigh, plus the lack of comparable product types in the immediate vicinity provided our team with tremendous confidence to proceed with our third multifamily community within Greenleigh,” explained Neil Greenberg, Chief Operating Officer of Somerset Companies. “Our team continually monitors living trends and conducts research to detect patterns that impact the design criteria for new communities. Modern-day apartment residents are spending more time at home and are utilizing spaces to serve multiple functions, for work, entertainment, exercise and education,” he added. “A noticeable byproduct of these shifting uses has been the significant expansion of bedroom sizes and overall living spaces, the incorporation of high-function den and kitchen areas, and more amenities that address the needs of people of different ages and pets. Greenleigh is a true one-of-a-kind and best-in-class development that serves the residential requirements of young people, families, and empty-nesters with an all-inclusive living environment.”

Development is largest Insulated Concrete Form building in North America

Aspen at Greenleigh is being developed utilizing Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction principles and, on completion, will be the largest ICF building in North America. The process entails the use of hollow, foam-plastic blocks or panels which are stacked to form walls and then filled with poured concrete which serves as the building’s structure and exterior. ICF construction provides a higher degree of structural strength, protects against wind and fire damage, act as a sound barrier, is termite resistant, offers improved energy efficiency as compared to wood framing, and reduces construction timelines. The development team is also pursuing LEED Gold certification for the multifamily community.

“Most significantly, ICF construction produces a high-performance and well-sealed building which is environmentally friendly, enhances indoor air quality, and lessens the likelihood of mold,” stated St. John Properties’ Vice President of Multifamily Construction, Michael Poirot. “The resulting structure is cleaner, greener, and more likely to stand the test of time. We intend to incorporate this construction method in the development of future multifamily communities.”

Aspen at Greenleigh represents the second development for St. John Properties’ Multifamily Construction Division, which was established last year to oversee all multifamily construction throughout St. John Properties’ mixed-use developments. The group is also currently constructing the first phase of the Melford Mansions at Melford Town Center in Bowie, which comprises 197 units within the larger 435-unit project. These projects are part of St. John Properties’ broader pipeline of more than 1,500 multifamily units.

Average unit size is among the largest in Baltimore County market

The breakdown of the unit sizes, most of which feature den areas, includes: 35 studios, 181 one-bedroom, 69 two-bedroom, and 50 three-bedroom. The average unit’s 941 square foot size is among the largest in the Baltimore County market, according to data from Apartments.com. Each apartment home is equipped with nine-foot ceiling heights, open-plan kitchens with breakfast bars and granite countertops, 42-inch kitchen cabinets, upgraded stainless steel appliances, spa-inspired bathrooms with separate showers and extra-large soaking tubs, and plank flooring throughout. Approximately 30 percent of the units feature exterior balconies. An internal 150,000 square foot structured garage supports the parking for the residential community.

The comprehensive amenity package includes a 2,600 square foot, two-story community room, state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga studio, multi-media center with oversized viewing screen and adjacent kitchen and bar, billiards room, business center with conference area, a pet spa with wash station and indoor dog park. The community will also feature a resort-style, salt water-heated swimming pool with sunning decks, outdoor living areas, and multiple grilling areas. Additional exterior amenities include a courtyard with cabanas, fireplace and television, hospitality bar, bike storage and repair room and a zen garden.

“Baltimore County continues to be economically robust and resilient, and with a steady influx of families and individuals moving into the region to take advantage of well-paying jobs, plentiful recreational and cultural opportunities, and a high quality of life,” added Greenberg. “A significant part of this equation is providing best-in-class residential offerings in a dynamic environment with immediate access to shopping, restaurants, open spaces and places to gather, engage, and socialize. Greenleigh stands as a model of new urbanism with its pedestrian-friendly and placemaking elements, and adding another multifamily community will naturally attract more residents, increase consumer and business spending, and inject tax revenue into Baltimore County, which helps all stakeholders.”

Somerset Companies has developed numerous high-profile, mixed-use projects in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area, including Annapolis Junction Town Center and Arundel Preserve in Anne Arundel County. For additional information, visit www.somersetconstruction.com.

Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 55-year history, the company has developed more than 25 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail, and warehouse space and has investments in over 3,000 residential units. The company proudly serves more than 2,700 clients in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.

Read more about this story in The Baltimore Business Journal

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