Leestown Road development signs several new restaurants, retailers

The Townley Center development on Leestown Road near New Circle Road has signed a handful of new businesses, and only three lots are available in the development.

Developer Dennis Anderson, owner of Anderson Communities, said he expects to wrap up the mixed-use development in about 15 months.

"It turned out better than I expected," said Anderson, who did a great deal of the work during the height of the recession. "The mixed-use lifestyle is what it's about. It's the lifestyle that makes it work."

Next up for the development are Firehouse Subs and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, which will be in a building being erected between Applebee's and Holiday Inn Express. When they open, probably later this year, both will have outdoor seating. The building also will have an additional 1,750 square feet of space for another tenant, Anderson said.

Evan Morris, a co-owner of the area Orange Leaf franchises, said the company was attracted to the growing population in that area.

"There's a lot of growth and not a whole lot of options for people out there for a dessert like us," he said. "With that, we have most of the corners of Lexington with an Orange Leaf in them."

Also coming soon to Townley Center is Ken Towery's Tire and AutoCare near the Central Baptist medical location, and an Extended Stay hotel near the AT&T and Sherwin-Williams stores.

In the back corner of the development, Anderson and his crews are busily preparing a series of apartments. Under construction now are 60 one-bedroom apartments, which are expected to be available in late October. A few months later, there will be 60 deluxe two-bedroom apartments followed by 19 luxury two-bedroom apartments. Nine three-bedroom apartments also are being built and will be available in spring.

Anderson Communities also revised its plans for a different section of the development near a series of homes, opting to build five more houses rather than townhomes. One of the five has been sold already, Anderson said.

All told, there's been $28 million in construction with little remaining. The three lots left include one that's ideal for a fast-food restaurant and another for a casual dining restaurant; the third is 1.5 acres and could be used for any number of things, Anderson said.

"We need somebody with breakfast food around here," he said. "With the more people we've got in here, the services are coming, and we're really pleased with the way things have turned out."

This story was originally published August 20, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Leestown Road development signs several new restaurants, retailers."