June 28, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Pendar Properties. 

When Deirdre Appel learned her fiance’s medical career would bring them from New York City to Sioux Falls, she was understandably a little unsure.

“I was very apprehensive about the change,” she said. “Now, two years later, I’ve come to like it quite a bit. And I think living where I do makes a big difference.”

Appel and her fiance were among the first to move into Railyard Flats, a newly built mass timber building that offers one- and two-bedroom lofts at 440 E. Eighth St.

“I think we even moved in before all the construction was done, so we’ve seen the total transformation,” she said. “We love it. We’re the first ones living in our apartment, and in terms of decor, it’s amazing. We’re on the second floor and have high ceilings, which makes it look even bigger.”

She works remotely in communications for a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, so the easy access to downtown coffee shops is perfect. Railyard Flats also offers a third-floor community lounge and deck, ideal for working from home without actually working from home.

“Plus, I can walk and work from a coffee shop and not feel like I’m living an isolated suburban life,” Appel said. “There’s a community around me. We have one car, and sometimes I use it, and sometimes I don’t. I can walk to a coffee shop in the morning and hop on the bike trail to take a break in the afternoon, so it’s just very easy to do things being in this location.”

 At first, knowing they would be in Sioux Falls for at least a four-year fellowship, the couple thought about buying a house.

 “We thought maybe we’d do the first year in an apartment and then look for something with a backyard, but no,” Appel said. “It’s too nice to live in this area and this apartment.”

Many downtown residents are discovering the benefits of renting, said Anne Haber, co-owner of Railyard Flats owner and manager Pendar Properties.

“We see a lot of people like Deirdre who could be living in a house and instead realize how much more sense it makes to rent,” she said. “You can live in a space with a comfortable, high-end design, you’re close to so many things to do, you don’t need to rely as much on your car, and you definitely don’t have to spend time maintaining a property as you do with homeownership.”

Appel loves Pendar Properties’ approach to maintenance.

“They have a great online system. You put in a maintenance request, and practically before you hit ‘submit,’ someone is knocking at your door to check on the issue,” she said. “It’s totally different navigating that in your own home.”

She’s also a fan of stopping in at Highball, the cocktail bar on the first floor of Railyard Flats, and has found in general that Sioux Falls living is a lot more welcoming.

“We’ve made more friends in two years than we had in five years living in New York because everyone is so friendly and wants to chat with you,” she said. “We’ve gotten to know our neighbors below and above us, so it’s really quite nice in that sense.”

Her growing sense of community even led her to start a nonprofit here – SoDak Compost – which allows participants to drop off their food scraps weekly at Iron Fox Farm, another nonprofit and urban garden at 705 S. Blauvelt Ave. In return, they receive compost at the end of the season for their gardens or houseplants.

“Everyone has been incredibly supportive, and it’s doing very well,” she said. “We just started a second location, so now we have one on the west side.”

That’s also reflective of the downtown community, Haber said.

“So many of our residents are living here because they love Sioux Falls and they’re engaged in the community in various ways,” she said. “Living downtown gives them that much more connection, and we often see them becoming even more involved once they move in.”

There soon will be even more downtown living options. If you’re looking to move now, there are a few available lofts at Railyard Flats. But Pendar Properties also is developing two new apartment communities as part of its expanded Cherapa Place, with more than 200 new lofts on the way. Residents at The Clark and The Dakota can begin moving in next year.

“We’re beginning the leasing process now, and there are opportunities to customize certain elements of the apartment in addition to securing a more long-term lease,” Haber said.

“These are done in the same mass timber style of construction as Railyard Flats and will include even more community amenities, including a beautiful courtyard and access to an amazing fitness center.”

For Appel, who enjoys watching the project’s progress out her window, downtown will be her home address for the rest of her time in Sioux Falls.

“We’re staying in our apartment,” she said. “I just really enjoy the ease of being in the thick of everything – being able to walk down Phillips, walk to the bike trail, walk to the Levitt for outdoor concerts. There’s just always something to do. If you like to be around activity, I think it’s great.”

To learn more about residential opportunities with Pendar Properties, email [email protected] or click here.