‘I think it’s a great product’: Redmond cuts the ribbon on NOVA Apartments, former downtown motel now workforce housing

(Update: Adding video, comments from Redmond mayor, Simplicity by Hayden Homes, Watson Development)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A former motel in downtown Redmond has been revamped into much-needed affordable workforce housing.

On Tuesday, the Redmond community and local businesses gathered for a ribbon-cutting and tour of NOVA Apartments, the former Village Squire Motel now revamped into workforce housing. 

"I think it's a great product," Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch said. "I'm really proud of the way they designed this. So that's going to work for the community and work for these workforce people."

The 24 studio apartments also have a community center, a gym, laundry, and shared parking. 

Simplicity by Hayden Homes President Ryan Jennings said, "I was born and raised here in Central Oregon. Seeing a project like this that's been sitting idle for so long and being able to turn it into affordable housing for the residents here in Redmond is pretty special."

Watson Development was approached by the city of Redmond with the opportunity to buy and revitalize the motel site.

Jeff Lundin said, "We worked with the seller and acquired the site in March of 2024, and instantly went to work on it right away with our contractor, Simplicity. And here we are, less than a year later, ready to open."

Cobalt Properties Group will be doing the initial lease-up and bringing the product online early next month.

Cobalt Properties Group Vice President Jed Bellefeuille said, "We're finalizing numbers, but it's going to be around 80% of of AMI (average median income) for affordability levels. So we're just waiting for the Oregon Housing Authority to confirm some numbers for us."

  The NOVA Apartments are part of the Downtown Urban Renewal Public-Private Partnership.