By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Moving trucks began to roll into The Grand Reserve at Pelham as of Sept. 25 when Phase One of the construction project was completed. The first of three phases has opened 36 units on the property, with an additional 148 units set to open by Dec. 1.

“I’m ecstatic. It’s been a long process, and I am just so excited that it’s finally here and we’re moving people in,” said property manager Kent Seaman. “I think everyone is going to be truly pleased with their environment.”

The Grand Reserve at Pelham, located at 10 Grand Reserve Drive off Huntley Parkway, offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom duplexes. Unit sizes range from the 1,253 square-foot one-bedrooms to the 1,536 square-foot for three-bedrooms. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplexes are 1,728 square feet.

Inside, the kitchen area features granite countertops and stone backsplash with ceramic tile on bottom floor levels and wood flooring on the upper levels. Each unit includes washer and dryer connections, and the upper floors also have balconies.

“We’ve got it all, and I think anyone that moves in here will find something that they will love about it,” Seaman said. “We are searching more for those long-term residents, and what we are offering here is luxury.”

When the clubhouse is completed near the end of October, guests will have 24-hour access to a fitness facility with free weights and weight and cardio machines, along with a sauna, tanning beds and a computer lab.

By spring 2016, the property will have a salt-water pool that will be open 24 hours with a small cabana clubhouse residents will be able to rent out. The Grand Reserve is also a gated community, featuring a dog park and two playgrounds.

“We are filling up very fast, and I think it’s because, truly, it’s the first luxury apartment community to come to Shelby County in such a long time,” Seaman said. “This area definitely needed it.”

Seaman said the city of Pelham has been helpful during construction and has showed support for the luxury apartments, making the process easy. The Pelham City Council rezoned the almost 18-acre property in mid-2014 to allow The Grand Reserve development.

Phase Two of the project will be complete by Nov. 1, opening additional units on the property, and Phase Three is scheduled for completion by Dec. 1. All 184 units should be open by that date.

“I’m so pleased with the outcome,” Seaman said. “It’s been nothing but an amazing experience, and everything is coming along very nicely. It’s a great property.”