Investment Highlights

Strong Value-Add Opportunity: 79 Fifty Nine West was previously a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property but has fully transitioned to a conventional rental community, creating a significant rental upside opportunity for investors. Current rents are below market by $350–$530 per unit, providing a clear path for revenue growth.

Assumption of Market-Rate Rents: The property completed the LIHTC Qualified Contract (QC) process in 2020, and all units transitioned to market rents by 2023. With all Housing Authority vouchers now phased out, the community is now positioned for conventional renters at competitive market rates.

Recent Amenity & Common Area Capital Improvements: Over the past few years, ownership has invested in key upgrades, including:

  • Complete renovation of the leasing office, adding modern finishes, a new kitchen, and a resident lounge
  • Expansion of the fitness center by converting the former laundry room into a state-of-the-art facility
  • Upgrades to the pool area, including a new grill station and modernized finishes to enhance resident appeal
  • Rebranding from Cottage Hill Apartments to 79 Fifty Nine West, with updated signage to reposition the property as a high-quality conventional rental community

Interior Unit Enhancements & Premium Rent Upside: Interiors have been modernized with new flooring, upgraded lighting, and plumbing fixtures. Ownership introduced optional rentable upgrades, allowing residents to opt into:

  • White-painted cabinets (+$100/month)
  • Stainless steel appliances (+$95/month)
  • In-unit washers and dryers (+$75/month)
  • Several units have already received these premium finishes, demonstrating proven demand and immediate rent growth potential

Minimal Near-Term CapEx Requirements: Most major capital expenditures were completed during the transition period, reducing near-term capital needs and improving financial performance. The remaining upgrades will be driven by unit turns, allowing for a phased approach to value enhancement.

Proximity to Key Area Demand Drivers: 79 Fifty Nine West is located roughly 20 miles southwest of Downtown Mobile via Cottage Hill Road and/or I-10. Major area demand drivers include:

  • Springhill Medical Center: 900 jobs and 270 beds
  • Springdale Shopping Mall: Anchored by Marshall’s, Sam’s Club, Michael’s, Burlington
  • Shoppes at Bel Air: 1,345,000 SF anchored by Target, JCPenney, Belk, Dillard’s
  • McGregor Square: Fresh Market, TJ Maxx, Office Depot
  • Pinebrook Shopping Center: Michael’s, F45, Whole Foods, PetSmart, CAVA
  • Country Club of Mobile
  • Spring Hill College: 1,317 students
  • University of South Alabama: 5,500 jobs, with a student enrollment of 13,768

Favorable Supply-Side Constraints: According to CoStar, Mobile has had only one construction start over the past 2 years. Additionally, fewer than 1,500 units have been delivered over the past 10 years, representing just a 7% increase in inventory.

Dynamic Economy with Sustained Growth: Mobile is experiencing significant economic expansion driven by substantial investments from various industries and its status as the home of the Port of Mobile. With a GDP of $20 billion, Mobile boasts the third-largest economy in Alabama. Key economic drivers include the thriving aerospace sector, led by companies such as Airbus, and the Port of Mobile, which generates an impressive $85 billion in economic impact and supports over 300,000 jobs statewide.

$4.1 Billion Novelis Investment Creating 1,000 jobs: Novelis is developing a state-of-the-art aluminum manufacturing plant on a 3,000-acre site in the area. This project represents a $4.1 billion investment and is expected to create 1,000 new jobs, with an average starting salary of $65,000, further strengthening the region’s economic growth and employment opportunities. The project is expected to be finished in the second half of 2026.

Airbus’ $1 Billion Expansion Creating 1,000 jobs: Airbus Americas has announced a $1 billion investment to expand its operations in the area, creating 1,000 additional jobs. This growth builds on the company’s existing presence, which already supports 1,800 jobs locally. This significant investment, targeting completion in Q3 of 2025, further strengthens Mobile’s position as a prominent hub for the aerospace industry.

Austal USA’s Expanding Footprint: Austal USA is constructing a 369,600-square-foot facility, including a state-of-the-art submarine module manufacturing plant and a 192,000-square-foot assembly facility for steel ship production. Recognized as the world’s leading aluminum shipbuilder, Austal is also Mobile’s largest industrial employer and the third-largest employer in the South Alabama region. This $750 million investment is expected to create over 2,000 jobs, further bolstering Austal’s pivotal role in the local economy and solidifying Mobile’s status as a center for advanced manufacturing.

Mobile International Airport Expansion: In response to the city’s significant growth, local officials have committed $330 million to enhance the infrastructure of Mobile International Airport. The improvements, which broke ground in January 2025, include the addition of five new gates, with the capacity to expand to 12 gates in the future. This investment is set to enhance air travel and improve connectivity to other cities across the United States, supporting the region’s continued economic and logistical growth.

  • Address:
    7959 Cottage Hill Road
  • City, State:
    Mobile, Alabama
  • County:
    Mobile
  • Year Built:
    2004
  • Units:
    156
  • Acreage:
    14.09
  • Average Asking Rent:
    $1,218
  • Average Unit SF:
    1,104