A former Wilmington driving 'Range' is transforming into an apartment and retail center

The Range, a privately funded development project that includes 35 apartments designated as workforce housing, has begun welcoming its first tenants.

The first three of seven total buildings on the former Oleander Golf Center driving range site in Wilmington have opened, according to a news release from the East West Partners, a residential and mixed-used development company that has been operating for over 40 years.

"The Range is Wilmington’s first major market-rate, privately funded development project to include apartments priced to accommodate workforce housing," McKay Siegal, partner of East West Partners, said in the release. "Thirty-five apartments were set aside for qualified workforce housing applicants early in the development process."

Located off Oleander Drive on 445 51st St., the entire community has been 30 percent pre-leased, with residential tenants beginning move-in in April, according to the release. Commercial tenants have pre-leased 55 percent of the total 12,200 available commercial square footage.

Salon One Suites for beauty professionals has leased 4,100 square feet and plans to open later this month, according to the release. ISI Elite Training, a gym and fitness center, has leased 2,700 square feet and plans to open by the end of 2024.

Two more commercial spaces -- one of 3,240 square feet and another 2,200 square feet -- have been reserved for a "fast casual and best-in-class restaurant," according to the release. The retail fronting facing Oleander Drive will draw in both residents and passing traffic.

Once complete, The Range will offer 345 apartments, a clubhouse with a bar an entertainment area, a billiards room, a golf simulator, a resort-style pool, and other outdoor amenities across 15 acres on Oleander Drive, according to the release. The apartment complex offers one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans.

"The Range has been incredibly well-received. With our pool and resort-style amenities opening later this summer, we are leasing residential apartments quickly," Seigel said in the release. "Likewise, our commercial space has been leasing well."

According to the release, other residential apartment features include floor-to-ceiling sound reduction in living areas, wide-plank LVT flooring, balconies, granite countertop kitchens, chef's islands, glass showers, noise-reducing carpet bedrooms, and walk-in closets.

A dedicated coworking space, a two-acre lake, fire pit, jogging trail, dedicated dog park and pet spa, and location to nearby multi-use paths and grocery stores are additional amenities of the complex, according to the release.

"We are really proud to be delivering this project to a community eager for high-end multi-family living, particularly that accommodates Wilmington’s need for workforce housing," Seigel said in the release.