West Hempstead Apartment Complex Expected to Open in October

West 130, the luxury apartment complex currently being constructed on the former site of the infamous in West Hempstead, is expected to open this October.

At a packed meeting Thursday inside the , residents learned more about the 150-unit apartment building that's taking shape at 130 Hempstead Ave.

The West Hempstead Community Support Association, which hosted the meeting, invited Maria Rigopoulos to provide an update on the project. Rigopoulos is the regional managing director for Mill Creek Residential, which from the Courtesy's owners in February 2011 and demolished the infamous hotel months later. Seeing the crime-infested Courtesy Hotel finally fall last May from many residents and members of the WHCSA who fought for years to remove it from their community.

But now many of these same residents have questions about what kind of tenants its replacement will attract.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Rigopoulos explained that West 130 will have one, two and three-bedroom apartments, which renters can lease for three, six, nine or 12 months. Pets, both cats and dogs, will be permitted, but with a premium. (Property managers would enforce rules regarding noise complaints and require owners to pick up after their animals when walking them on the complex.) And all renters will be required to pass a background and meet salary requirements before their lease is approved.

"We’re asking that you’re not spending more than one-third of your salary on rent,” she said.

Carole Rilling, a member of the West Hempstead Board of Education, asked Rigopoulos how the complex would impact the local school system.

Based on the data she's seen, Rigopoulos said, "These types of developments generate about two school children per 100 units ... People with children are welcome ofcourse, but we find this kind of developments attracts young professionals or empty nesters."

WHCSA President Rosalie Norton pointed out that there is no playground on the premises.

"Living in this building will have more of a hotel-feel," Rigopoulos added.

She explained that tenants will enter the complex through an underground parking garage by swiping an electronic key and then take an elevator up to their apartments. The parking space will be included in their rent, along with access to a 5,000 sq. ft. amenty space that will feature a clubhouse, game room, business center, fitness equipment, a coffee lounge with WiFi, and a landscaped courtyard with an outdoor pool, sun deck, and gas fireplace.

Individual units will feature 9-foot high ceilings, modern, upscale kitchens featuring islands with pendant lighting, 42-inch cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. They will also have full-size washers and dryers, large walk-in closets, and Cablevision and Verizon services.

Rigopoulous also touted the building's "green" design, saying it woud have energy-saving appliances and fixtures, low VOC materals and other environmentally friendly features.

"We anticipate it being a LEED buidling," she added.

Rental prices have not been set yet, according to Rigopoulos, who said, "We’ll look at what’s going on in the market." She expects pre-leasing to begin in late summer and once construction is complete, the community will be invited to attend an open house.

For more information and to sign-up for updates regarding the property, visit www.ISpyWest130.com.