RidgeGate in Lone Tree broke ground on the first apartment home community project to add to its master-plan.

“It will have an urban lifestyle in the suburbs,” said Darryl Jones, development manager for Coventry Development Corp.

The project broke ground in December and promises to add a new, yet important residential option to the housing inventory.

Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010, renters will be able to choose from one- to three-bedroom units, and be within walking distance to retail, restaurants, the Lone Tree Recreation Center, parks and open space.

The 244-unit, four-story building will blend in with landscape planters, with 5,000 feet of commercial space on the street level.

“Quite possibly a coffee shop, maybe a bar and restaurants,” Jones said. Another feature is a designated parking structure for the residents, which is not visible from the street.

“I think people interested in this option could be employees from the hospital Sky Ridge, or professionals just starting out,” Jones said.

With the future light rail mode of travel, residents and workers could reduce their dependence on cars, living in the Miramont at RidgeGate.

Based on the principles of “smart growth,” RidgeGate is an “eco-smart” blend of urban and open space, committed to a pedestrian-friendly community with a multitude of conveniences.

“With the RidgeGate interchange opening up in April or May,” Jones said. “Access is positive to the Target shopping complex.”

Finding this unique niche, Jones said in these times, is a positive spot to be in as developers.

“There are not a lot of new rental projects right now,” Jones said. “Some in the tech center, but not a lot of new rental projects.”