Construction has started on a $5 million apartment complex near the Hillyard neighborhood of northeast Spokane that will deliver expansive views of Spokane to the south and Spokane Valley to the east.

The three-story complex is one of three new, proposed developments that will add 160 living units across Spokane County with a total project valuation of nearly $23 million, according to construction permit applications in unincorporated Spokane County and the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley.

The planned 30-unit apartment complex near Hillyard will be located at 2513 N. Regal. The complex will rise on a hillside north of East Upriver Drive and south of Illinois Avenue. 

“We started about 1 1/2 months ago by pouring the foundation, and we’ll start getting it framed shortly,” says Conrad Manfred, a manager for Millwood-based general contractor Kodiak General Contracting, which is owned and operated by River City Homes LLC.

Mercier Architecture & Planning, of Spokane Valley, is the project architect, and Whipple Consulting Engineers Inc., also of Spokane Valley, is providing engineering services. Manfred says he expects construction will be completed by May 2022.

The complex will have a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, Manfred says. Monthly rent for single-bedroom units will range in price from $850 to $900. Rent for two-bed, two-bath units will be from $900 to $1,100; and rent for three-bed, two-bath units will be between $1,000 and $1,500. Conrad says price variance is dependent upon the view.

“It’s going to have some elevation and the third floor will have some nice views to offer,” he says. “It’s a bit of a unique location.”

River City Homes bought the 1.5-acre parcel project site in November 2019.

Having been involved in real estate for half his life now, the 36-year-old Manfred says the Inland Northwest housing market is “incredible” at the moment.

He says River City anticipates being ready to advertise the apartment to prospective residents in early 2022.

Meanwhile, north of Spokane, developer Harley C. Douglass has submitted permit applications to construct three four-story apartment buildings at 724 E Hastings Road, a few blocks east of U.S. 395.

One application is for a $6.2 million, 42-unit building. A second application is for a $4.1-million, 28-unit building. The third is for a $2 million, 14-unit structure.

The development site abuts the west boundary of the Timbers at Wandermere Apartment complex.

Representatives of Harley C. Douglass couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

Rudeen Development LLC, of Liberty Lake, has submitted a building application with the city of Spokane Valley to build a 46-unit apartment complex at 701 N. Conklin Road, near the southwest corner of Conklin and Broadway Avenue.