Crews will break ground this fall on the first phase of luxury apartments at Town Madison, a 530-acre project at Interstate 565 and Zierdt Road.

Developer Louis Breland announced this morning that Tynes Development Corporation and B&J, LLC, have entered into a joint venture agreement with Fuqua Development and Breland Companies to build 1,000 residential units at Town Madison.

The first phase of construction includes 280 units to be located in a four-story facility with elevators and high-end amenities within the mixed-use retail portion of Town Madison. Breland expects more apartments will follow on other sites within the property.

"With the changing retail world, luxury apartments not only provide additional living options for our project, they are also an important component in creating the live, work, play formula that makes major mixed-use developments like Town Madison successful," Breland said.

Spokesman Joey Ceci said the first apartments will be available for occupancy by fall 2018, with leasing starting next spring. Rent will range from $995 for one-bedroom to $1,550 for three-bedroom apartments.

Tynes is working with Atlanta-based architecture firm Pucciano and English to design the first phase of apartments. Some carriage houses with garage units will be available.

"We really like the vision for Town Madison and believe this is an incredible site to develop the mixed-use type of project our residents are looking for," said Tynes founder Ingram Tynes.

The first phase of residential development will also feature a Town Center in DPZ Partners Andres Duany's New Urbanist style, which includes walkable narrow streets, lots of trees and open spaces, and top-end pool, clubhouse and other amenities.

There will be additional Town Madison development news this month. The first retail and restaurant announcements are expected this summer.

"We will announce more development team partners, go live with a website and announce the name for the first hotel in the coming days," Ceci said.

Town Madison, a $300 million project, will be home to more than 1 million square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment options, 700,000 square feet of office space and 700 hotel rooms. Construction of a new interchange to access this site is underway and slated for completion in 2018.