Highland Row development invests $60 million in retail, residential uses

Highland Row, a new mixed-use, lifestyle center development in the University District will include 354 apartments and up to 38,000-sq. ft. of retail space in the vacant land just off Central Ave. on Highland, with a western border of Eastland and Midland to the south. The expected cost of the project, spearheaded by Milhaus Development out of Indianapolis and Memphis-based Poag Shopping Centers LLC, is $60.7 million.
 
The developers recently received the public financing they were awaiting from the Memphis and Shelby County Community Redevelopment Agency in the form of tax-increment financing through 2027. The TIF should save the developers $12.5 million through the duration.
 
The development plan was originally approved by the Memphis City Council in 2006, but was shelved after the recession hit a few years later. Recent changes see a focus more on the residential portion and have taken the apartments from 240 to 354, while the retail has been scaled to 26,88-sq. ft. from 100,000.
 
The University of Memphis has plans for a grand entrance to the University off of Highland and is enthusiastic about the added attractions and housing that Highland Row will bring.
 
With nearby the Chickasaw Gardens neighborhood and easy access from Poplar Ave. to the north, the retail center will be a boon, not only for the more than 20,000 college students, along with faculty and employees, but, according to Poag’s website, “ … is anticipated to be the primary shopping, dining, and residential destination of choice in one of the highest-income trade-area corridors in the entire Memphis MSA. With the character and atmosphere of a traditional neighborhood plus the vibrant lifestyle of uptown living, Highland Row is sure to be the place where life meets style.”