BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A major new apartment community in southwest Bakersfield is getting closer to opening, bringing hundreds of new units to the Seven Oaks area.
Park Center at Seven Oaks, located near White Lane and Allen Road, includes 520 apartments and is expected to begin welcoming residents in November. It will be Fuller Apartment Homes’ fifth apartment community in Bakersfield.
The company said the decision to build another large development in the area came after seeing strong demand at its other local properties.
“And we found that across all of our apartment communities, there’s an extremely low amount of vacancy and a lot of demand, so it only made sense for us to continue growing into southwest Bakersfield and build Park Center,” said Will Harryman, vice president of operations and investor relations.
The property will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments. Amenities include a large gym, pool and spa, co-working space, social lounge, dog wash and access to biking and walking paths.
Harryman said the idea is to give residents more than just an apartment.
“We want it to feel like that resort community that you can go to after work, spend your time there on the weekends and feel like you’re a part of something that’s bigger than just the apartment that you live in,” he said.
Development Manager Blaine Tehaney said the focus is also on creating a place where residents can connect with one another.
“I hope that they feel a real sense of community. It is a new place, and I hope it’s not just another housing project, it’s not just another development, but it’s really a community for people to come together,” Tehaney said.
Park Center is also part of Westbridge, a larger development planned around the property.
Developers say the surrounding area is expected to eventually include additional retail, a church, an elementary school, a public park and single-family homes.
“There will be more retail, there will be a church being built, there will be a school being built, there will be a large park to the north of Park Center, and they will be surrounded by single-family homes,” Harryman said.
Tehaney said those projects are expected to come together over the next several years.
Park Center is scheduled to hold an open house Oct. 24, followed by a ribbon cutting Nov. 4.
For more information on Park Center at Seven Oaks, including leasing details and available floor plans, visit the community’s website.