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SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
New $500M North Valley development to bring housing, EV-ready homes, and retail near Highway 53 and Blake Bottom Road
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — While the pace of apartment construction may be slowing across the Huntsville metro area, it hasn’t stopped — especially in north Huntsville, where work is set to begin on a sprawling new development that will add more than 800 single-story apartment homes and retail businesses.
The project, called North Valley, will be located at the intersection of Highway 53 and Blake Bottom Road, a rapidly developing corridor that city officials have long identified as a key area for growth.
IMS Communities has secured financing for the project and will break ground this summer, starting with the first residential phase, known as Beacon Place North Valley. The community will feature single-level apartment homes with private garages and EV charging stations at every unit — a signature design element of IMS’s housing offerings.
“This development represents quality, convenience, and forward-thinking design,†IMS said in a release. Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate assisted in the acquisition of the 130-acre site from the UAH Foundation in 2023.
Eric St. John, Vice President at Crunkleton, said the project represents a commitment to smart, regional growth.
“North Valley reflects the type of thoughtful, well-planned development our team is proud to support,†he said.
This marks IMS’s 11th development in the Southeast, expanding its portfolio to over 2,500 completed units and $500 million in housing investment.
 Retail Component and Economic Impact
Alongside residential housing, the development will feature retail out-parcels positioned at one of the area’s busiest intersections. IMS is targeting big-box retailers, regional shops, and national brands to anchor the commercial section.
Crunkleton is leading the leasing effort and is actively recruiting tenants. “This is a strong-growth corridor,†the firm said in its announcement.
City leaders are optimistic. Shane Davis, Huntsville’s Urban and Economic Development Director, recently told the City Council that major announcements are expected soon as the Northern Bypass extension continues to boost economic momentum in north Huntsville.
The project adds to an already unprecedented housing boom across the metro. In 2023 alone, 6,500 apartment units were completed—equal to the total delivered in the 12 years leading up to 2020, according to a report from Berkadia and Crunkleton.
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