Downtown tour showcases newest housing developments
An interest in downtown living has created a boom in housing and this weekend potential residents can visit some of the newest developments in El Paso.
The El Paso Downtown Management District is hosting its first Downtown Living Tour Saturday that will shuttle people to eight different complexes.
The DMD was created in 1997 to help make downtown the center of commercial, civic and cultural activity.
The self-guided tour will give guests access to eight residential developments in downtown and south El Paso, in addition to food and refreshments at each location.
Guests can visit the complexes in any order and can hop on one of several shuttles that will be circulating through out the day. There will be guides at every stop to assist with questions.
“This gives people the opportunity to come down and kind of take a peek inside and say ‘wow there’s new stuff happening.” said Rudy Vasquez, DMD Marketing Manager.
Vasquez said it is part of the larger effort to revitalize downtown.
The DMD relies on its partners like the City of El Paso to track the interest of people wanting to live downtown.
The city’s economic development department told ABC-7 that between 2013 and 2016 the city was able to spur the development of nearly 200 additional residential units in downtown through incentive agreements.
Ramon Herrera, spokesman for the economic development department, said the number does not include all the housing units that have been added through non-incentivized projects, which would increase the number.
Herrera said the Martin Lofts, located at 217 N. Stanton Street and part of Saturday’s tour, is a project that received incentives from the city.
Meanwhile, the Campbell Street Apartment complex in south El Paso is ready to add new residents.
“You see proojects like this in another downtown areas and El Paso now has to catch up so we’re hoping that this actually gets us going and moving at a rapid rate,” said Jesus Soto, chief operating officer of Soto Enterprises.
Soto said his grandfather purchased the property in 1970. In 2014, Soto and his father partnered to develop the apartments.
The Campbell Apartment complex has studios, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.
Soto added move developers are “putting their money where their mouth is” to show what El Paso is capable of accomplishing.
“It’s an urban living experience, it’s beautiful,” Soto said.
During the tour, guests will also get to try food from downtown restaurants.
At the first stop, guest will be given a map to pinpoint each location and a passport card for a chance to win a $1000 in store credit at Mattress Firm.
The Downtown Living Tour is Saturday, April 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Below is a list of the tour stops:
The Abdou Building, 115 N. Mesa Street
Campbell Street Apartments, 501 S. Campbell Street
Essex Alley, 513 W. San Antonio Avenue
Franklin Avenue Apartments, 617 W. Franklin Avenue
Martin Lofts, 217 N. Stanton Street
The Mix, 518 W. San Antonio Avenue
Roderick Artspace Lofts, 601 N. Oregon Street
The Savoy, 120 S. Stanton Street
Click here for ticket information.
