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"Courtney Palms is a Resort-Style Apartment Community in Heart of Brandon"

The Tampa Tribune, Renter's Guide Section, December 28, 2003

By WENDY MALLOY

Special Sections correspondent

You might not expect a resort-style community in the heart of Brandon, but that’s just what officials at Courtney Palms say they're creating. The new apartment complex offers a wealth of amenities and a range of floor plans, along with the conveniences of Brandon and an easy commute downtown Tampa.

“You just can’t beat our location,” says Melanie Ciaccio, property manager. “Westfield Shoppingtown Brandon is just a stone’s throw from us, and within a 2-mile radius we have even more shopping and dining options. It’s fantastic.” Although Courtney Palms isn’t slated for completion until spring, about 40 apartments already are occupied. There will be 354 units on the 28-acre tract. “The property is beautiful,” Ciaccio says. “It’s set up like a resort, with a long, winding drive, and the landscaping is gorgeous. Our management company (ContraVest Management Company) did a great job saving the big, mature oak trees, and we have four lakes with fountains.” A walking trail is in the works, and mountain bikes will be available for loan to residents. Large pets are welcome in the community. Dry-cleaning service and free video rental are part of the package, as well. “Our amenities make us stand out from the typical apartment community;” says Ciaccio. “We go the extra mile to make sure our residents are happy and well taken care of.” The gated community features a movie theater, a business center with six computers, a 24-hour fitness center, and indoor basketball and racquetball courts. For kids there’s a play area with toys, books and DVDs. A built-in fountain complements the swimming pool area, which also offers a hot tub, two gas grills, hammocks and swings. “It really feels like you’re going on vacation when you come home to Courtney Palms,” Ciaccio says. Inside, a variety of designs is available, but each apartment includes a full-size washer and dryer, 42-inch custom kitchen cabinetry; granite-like countertops, and a computer niche. “The niche is different in every floor plan, but they’re tucked out of the way and placed nicely,” says Ciaccio. Nine-foot ceilings, crown molding, walk-in closets, Roman tubs, ceramic tile, ceiling fans, screened porches and intrusion alarms are standard. Detached garages are available. Courtney Palms offers four one-bedroom floor plans. The Carriage Home, at 756 square feet, is above a garage. “It’s a unique design,” Ciaccio says. “There are four garages on the bottom and two homes on top, and they’re separated by a breezeway so you don’t share a wall. It’s very private.” The Canary, with 948 square feet, has a separate study/work area. The Sago has 818 square feet, and the Sabal, at 915 square feet, provides a large kitchen and pantry. Prices for one bedroom units range from $725 to $840. Two designs, both split plans, are available in the community’s two-bedroom apartments. The Bismark offers 1,095 square feet, with two Roman tubs and two walk-in closets. The plan is priced at $945. The Formosa, with 1,138 square feet, features a built-in bookshelf in the dining area, and rents for $995. The Majesty, Courtney Palms’ three-bedroom, two-bathroom design with 1,294 square feet of living area, starts at $1,085. The apartment has a large kitchen and pantry plus extra storage space on the patio. Short-term leases are available, with additional fees, for newcomers looking for a house or waiting for a house to be built. “We’ll do anything from three months to two years,” Ciaccio says. Courtney Palms is owned by Orlando-based ContraVest, which has properties in Florida, the Carolinas, Arizona, Colorado, and is expanding into Texas. For information, visit www.courtneypalms.com online or call 813-626-1656. Courtney Palms is at 10003 Courtney Palms Blvd. in Brandon. To reach the community take U.S. 301 south from the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, and go about a half-mile. The community is on the left.