Modular apartment building to open in Hempstead

Modular apartment buildings just might be the next big real estate trend to hit the region. New York City’s first prefabricated building, the Stack, a 28-unit, six-story apartment building in the Inwood section, recently went up -- and now Nassau County has its first.

Village Lofts, a modular 29-unit residential rental complex on Front Street in Hempstead is slated for occupancy in early October.

The units were assembled in a factory, delivered by truck and then stacked onto a foundation -- much like Legos, explain Matthew Korman and Orlando Frade of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, who with Maria Boafo, are the marketing and leasing agents.

Some work, such as the installation of gas and electric, are done on site.

"The building is top notch quality,” says Korman, noting that features include moldings, wide plank maple wood floors, high ceilings and oversized windows, allowing lots of sunlight. Kitchens are outfitted with solid wood cabinets and GE Energy Star appliances including a dishwasher, while the bathrooms are designed with custom tile.

The one- and two-bedroom units -- also equipped with washers and dryers -- range in size from 810 square feet to 1,557 square-feet.

Set in a gated community with a courtyard, the building also offers an elevator, a common room, media screening room and on-site storage room. As for parking, there is one free space per unit.

Monthly rental rates range between $1,400 and $2,550. For more information, call 516-354-6500.

Six of 29 units are set aside for workforce housing, which will be awarded by the developer, La Cité Development LLC, through a lottery process. Applications are being accepted.