Avalon apartments have a new, built-in furniture-bed system to save space

MISHAWAKA — The furniture in Mishawaka's newest apartment complex expands and contracts, giving new tenants a more efficient use of space.

ORI technology is a type of modular furniture that — with the touch of a button or with a smart phone — can move to form a workspace, a walk-in closet, a bedroom or a living area. This all takes place in the main rooms of 76 efficiency apartments of the 108 total units in The Avalon, at 365 W. Front St. in downtown.

Jennifer Gill, site manager for The Avalon, demonstrated the ORI units in the model apartment. Seeing the black-toned furniture, the only dark-colored ones in the country, she showed the table that pulls out to serve as a dining table or a workspace.

Video:See a Youtube video about the ORI Studio

The unit then began to move outward from the wall, unveiling closet mode, a full series of wardrobes and places to hang clothes with lights. Although there are closets in the units, this offers more space.

After hitting the sleep mode button, the unit moved farther from the wall as a queen-sized bed appeared from underneath the unit, with the closet module forming an alcove between it and the wall for privacy.

Gill said the unit offers privacy in the sleep mode, and having a cellphone control the modes and lighting gives tenants the luxury of using the unit.

Jeri DeCola, property manager, said the first tenants began to move in in late May. Rents for the studio apartments range from $1,030 to $1,350. There also are three two-bedroom apartments, with rents ranging from $2,805 to $3,045.

"These (ORI) units are for people who are starting out, who may not have enough furniture for a full apartment," DeCola said. "Also, they may be good for people who travel. These give people three distinct spaces in one room."

The 76 ORI units are the only ones in Indiana and are the largest by number of units in the country. The closest apartment complexes with the modular systems are in Chicago, and DeCola said the technology is popular on the East and West coasts.

"This is what sets us apart from other apartment buildings," DeCola said.

Gill and DeCola pointed out that The Avalon has several lounges and rooms for tenants to use as places to socialize. Having many efficiency apartments, DeCola said, tenants would feel more comfortable using these spaces for gatherings and visits.

The building also features a rooftop gathering place that will be a prime spot for residents to gather.

DeCola said one tenant had friends on the rooftop to watch the city's fireworks celebration on June 29 for the Fourth of July.

The Avalon also has a fitness center for residents.

As futuristic as its design is, it's name, The Avalon, recalls Mishawaka's industrial past.

"It was a brand of the Ball Band shoes, because this was one of the Ball Band factory sites," DeCola said. "That's why they named it The Avalon, to pay homage to one of the factories."

Second phase in the works

Mayor Dave Wood informally announced that the developers are planning a second apartment to accompany The Avalon on land to the west of the current structure. DeCola said the new complex — to be called Smith and Earl — is under the planning stages and will have a different theme.

Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com.