Fernmoor Homes celebrates start of new Lewes community

Developer Fernmoor Homes celebrated a new phase of construction recently at the mixed-used Mi-Place at Vineyards community on Route 9 in Lewes.

New one- and two-bedroom apartments will be available in the next year, said Fernmoor Homes President Jeffrey Fernbach. He said construction on the pool and clubhouse also is underway.

The 10-year vision for the mixed-use community features about 300 apartments, 400 condominiums, 83 single-family houses, 70 carriage homes, pool, clubhouse, 12-acre lake with fishing pier and hiking paths, and a total of about 70,000 square feet of retail space, he said. Build-out will depend on the market, and total construction cost is estimated to be about $120 million, Fernbach said.

“The intent is for it to be a very walkable community,” Fernbach said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 18. “I think it has a lot of things people will love.”

The new apartments, which will begin pre-leasing this summer, will be available for about $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Larger apartments, up to four bedrooms, are already available in the buildings with mixed retail space near Route 9.

Fernback said the single-family homes will resemble the Heritage Creek community in Milton, with rear-facing garages. Work on the community will be conducted in four phases, moving clockwise around the 79-acre property. The first set of single-family homes is scheduled to open for sales at the end of 2016, with move-ins planned for summer 2017.

For more information, go to vineyards-lewes.com.