Raymond Jones Jr. expects it to be a surprise when Cecil Ashburn Drive in Huntsville re-opens later this year and the upscale Jones Valley apartment complex he co-owns with other family members has almost doubled in size and grown into prominent view for motorists.

"When they were still going across the mountain back and forth, this hadn't really started," said Jones, referring to the road's ongoing widening project over Huntsville Mountain. "Now, when it reopens this fall, people will be living here. And people will be like, When did that happen?"

It’s happening now as Legacy at Jones Farm is in the process of adding 173 units to a second phase of the gated community that already includes 248 units that opened five years ago in the first phase.

Once completed, the two phases will seemingly blur together without distinction from each other despite subtle differences.

The second phase inches up Huntsville Mountain from the first phase and the buildings will be four levels instead of just three in the first phase and include elevators.

Essentially, though, the expansion is a respond to demand both for the southeast part of Huntsville as well as the fast-growing city as a whole.

An aerial rendering of the second phase of Legacy at Jones Farm off Cecil Ashburn Drive in Huntsville.

"It makes perfect sense right now," Jones said. "There are 15 people a day moving to the city of Huntsville because of all the great things going on here."

Jones said that housing in Huntsville hasn't kept pace with the city's growth and that's particularly true for those who prefer to live in apartments. Huntsville is also straining to keep up with quality office space – evidenced by the growth at Redstone Gateway and a planned office complex in downtown Huntsville.

"Quite frankly, there is a shortage of almost everything in town," Jones said. "Office space is tight. (Cummings) Research Park, five years ago, they were begging people to lease space. They don’t have much (space) anymore. It's all because of the growth of Huntsville.

"A lot of our big growth has just been announced. Those people aren't here yet and we're our roads are already stressed. Our housing market is stressed. The office market is somewhat stressed. As these things tend to happen, I think more and more development in those areas will continue to happen."

And so Legacy is growing, providing an array amenities for above-average income earners more interested in renting their home than buying it. The first phase at Legacy has been at or near capacity since it opened in 2014, Jones said, and the same is expected for the second phase.

Construction is ongoing June 25, 2019, at the second phase of Legacy at Jones Farm.

Jones described the pool in the second phase as "massive" with bar stools built into the water for those looking for relaxation as well as a separate lap pool for those looking for exercise. There will also be firepits around the pool.

In addition to luxury-designed apartments, Jones said the second phase will include a club room – like the first phase -- while having a larger, two-story fitness area. The complex will include three dog parks as well, complete with shaded seating for the owners.

“Our amenity package, there is not a better amenity package in the city of Huntsville,” Jones said. “So people are willing to pay a little bit more quite frankly because it’s nicer.”