Developer turns condemned Manhattan apartments into $300,000 luxury condos

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - A Manhattan apartment complex condemned last year as it crumbled around its tenants is getting a brand-new look and a second chance at life in the Little Apple.

27 News first looked into the issues surrounding the Royal Towers Apartment complex in 2023 after residents began airing their complaints about the building. The apartment complex was officially condemned in March 2023 due to multiple violations, forcing residents, many of them students at Kansas State University, to vacate and search for new places to live.

Now, with new leadership, the complex is just a few weeks away from offering new residents luxury condos. With the new title of "The Lofts At 1700," the property has undergone a major overhaul to bring it up to the new standard of living it hopes to offer.

"Every part of the building has been gutted and every part of the building is going to be new with the exception of the four exterior walls," T.J. Vilkanskas, Back Nine Development president, said.

Vilkanskas and his team are turning the complex into brand-new condos. The apartment complex was once under threat of being demolished as a nuisance in the community.

"We just wanted to take a building that has tremendous potential in a great location, transform it, completely renovate it so that everything is 100% turnkey," Lori Vilkanskas, Back Nine Development broker, said.

Residents last year told 27 News they were frustrated with the lack of upkeep at the property before they were forced to move out following the building's condemnation. One of the more noticeable issues was the unstable and cracked balconies.

"Exterior decks... the city didn't view them as adequate structurally to have people living in the building, so the first thing we really did was we tore off all of the decks and those are completely new," T.J. said.

The renovated complex will offer 56 units between two different buildings which include a modern design, floor-to-ceiling windows and a prime location near health facilities and K-State's campus. Appliances like a microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and more are included in the condos which range in price from $249,000 to $319,000.

"There's some great options near campus, but most of them need a lot of work," Lori said. "A lot of consumers are finding a hurdle with doing all of the renovations and digging into the bones of the property that it determines that they'll continue to rent. This makes a good option where people can build some equity, own a property."

Developers say the location is crucial as it is near enough for K-State football season. The first of the condos at 1700 North Manhattan Avenue go on sale starting next month. You can learn more about them by clicking here.

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