Ruben Holland plans apartments

Ruben Holland Construction has unveiled a proposal to build The Landings at Parkview surrounding Tom Bennett Park north of State Road 64 and west of Interstate 75 in Bradenton.

Construction on the Key West-themed apartment complex is expected to start in the next few months, with an anticipated opening in early 2013, according to developer Wayne Ruben.

“I think the location can't be beat — being that close to Interstate 75,” Ruben says. “It's on the west side of the interstate. We have a great Super Walmart nearby, a Publix nearby and, of course, the park.”

The proposed 19-building, three-story apartment community will wrap around the southwest side of the park on Cypress Creek Boulevard. Amenities include a clubhouse and leasing office, barbecue facility, pool and spa, boat and RV parking, a wellness center and several connections to the park itself. Each apartment also has park and lake views.

The developers originally had envisioned a townhome project but saw that changes in the housing market suggested huge demand for apartments. Although both Ruben and his business partner Roger Holland are seasoned developers, they have never owned and operated an apartment complex before. They are looking for a joint venture partner or property management company to lead leasing efforts and oversee the complex.

The company expects to ask the county for approval for a slight project density increase —399 units in total, compared with the 384 for which the project is already approved.

— Reporting by Pam Eubanks, correspondent