Wilson plans 100 Appling Condos after Oaks Success in Collierville

By Deborah M. Clubb
– The Commercial Appeal –

Kemmons Wilson Cos. will begin construction next month on 100 condominiums on Appling Road north of Dexter.

The Oaks at Appling will be similar to The Oaks at Schilling Farms, an 88 unit project in Collierville that Wilson expects to finish by year’s end.

Ron Hickman, senior vice president in Wilson’s real estate ventures, said prices for the Appling development will range from $140,000 to $170,000.

The Schilling units, from 1,300 to 1,800 square feet, ranged from $144,000 to $175,000 and are 90 percent sold, an indication to Wilson officials that there is demand for the product in Memphis.

“There’s very little new product offered under $200,000 that’s not starter homes for large families, with large lots and lawns to maintain.” Hickman said.

Wilson is trying to reach “active empty nesters” who want to leave their large homes and enjoy the benefit of condo maintenance services.

At the same time, The Oaks have no age restrictions and the Schilling units have sold to single people, single parents and families, Hickman said.

“When you wrap it into one well-built package, people really are buying a lifestyle and a community,” Hickman said.

Site work and building pads are nearly completed on the 18 acre property on Appling. Site improvements and underground utility work begin this week.

Kemmons Wilson Cos. acts as its own general contractor, using mainly local subcontractors.  Joey Bland is project director for The Oaks projects.

Wilson sales associates Liz Batkie and Carey Collins who are selling The Oaks at Schilling Farms, will move to Appling to represent it.

The fourplex building, joined at the two-car garages, are in a classic, traditional architecture that looks like single-family homes.

Two floor plans offer two bedrooms and two offer three bedrooms.

Two plans offer screened porches that can be finished as heated and cooled sun rooms; two plans offer patios.

Kemmons Wilson Cos. has more that 100 enterprises and about 3,000 employees mostly in the Southeast.  Primary interests are in hospitality, resort time-shares, real estate, health care and aviation.

Wilson is based in a new office building, the first of four the company plans to place in a development called Tournament Trails, beside a lake on Winchester near Hacks Cross.

The building, which opened this spring, is 88 percent occupied, Hickman said, with Wilson on the top floor.

“We’d like some new neighbors.”