As a former office building, Forum Flats, Village Green's brand-new luxury apartments in Troy, offers a stunning feature every potential resident reacts to.
“The windows," says Gabrielle Schlagel, the manager of Forum Flats. "They always rave about these oversized floor-to-ceiling windows. Your entire wall is essentially a window.”
Forum Flats's 200 units and 27 different floor plans all have Whirlpool in-unit washers and dryers, quartz countertops, white shaker-style cabinetry, and oversized walk-in closets. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center, yoga studio, outdoor heated pool, community grill, and optional carports and garages. For remote workers, Forum Flats’s business center has plenty of co-working space, as well as private booths.
Forum Flats also works to create community, with monthly social events to support nonprofits. Their Splash Party, scheduled for August, is a fundraiser for the local Ronald McDonald House, with food, vendors, giveaways and a raffle.
“I've even taken a new resident before and said, ‘This is Kathleen. You guys would be great friends,'" Gabrielle says.
I ask if Forum Flats is involved with other philanthropic efforts. Gabrielle tells me the complex donates non-perishables to shelters on holidays from Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving.
One nonprofit is close to Gabrielle’s heart.
“I like to partner up with Humane Society. If you want a new pet, you adopt right there. We even waive application fees if a resident wants to adopt a Humane Society pet.”
As you might have guessed, Forum Flats is pet-friendly too.
“We have a dog park, a fenced-in area where dogs can be unleashed so residents can let them play. We also have a dog wash station, so afterward if you don't want mud in your apartment, you can wash off your pup's paws.”
Gabrielle says Forum Flats even has a Pet of the Month award.
“Yeah, with a little goodie bag and a gift card," Gabrielle says.
I ask Gabrielle what feeling Forum Flats aims to evoke in its residents.
“From the moment they first inquire about the community, we’re trying to create a feeling of relief for them: ‘I'm finally home and I'm taken care of,'"
What does the complex do to create that feeling?
“From day one, we're authentic with every single resident. This is our place of business, but this is all of their homes as well. We’re sensitive to that fact. We also offer maintenance on-site five days a week. For emergencies, our response time has to be, if not fixed, responded to within 24 hours. Our residents feel safe in that way.”
I wonder if Forum Flats offers cutting-edge innovations.
“We're a keyless community," Gabrielle says. "We don't have physical keys. It’s all virtual. You can lock and unlock your door from any place, anywhere."
From my perspective, Forum Flats has done everything with potential residents’ happiness in mind. Gabrielle says that’s the goal.
“I want residents to feel taken care of,” Gabrielle says. “That feeling when you go back to your mom's house and your mom just takes care of everything for you. That sense of relief.”