A pair of property purchases in recent weeks has set the stage for a long-planned apartment building near the foot of Libby Hill.

Local developer Guy Blundon this month closed on the second of two deals needed for his 180-unit Shiplock Views project, set to rise along East Main Street between Pear Street and Williamsburg Avenue. Combined, the two deals total just over $9.33 million.

On Feb. 7, an entity tied to Blundon’s CMB Development purchased the existing 51-unit Lofts at Shiplock Watch apartments, which is slated to be absorbed into the new development. The three- and four-story building, totaling about 46,500 square feet, sold for $6.6 million, city property records show.

The 1-acre property, at 2823 E. Main St., most recently was assessed by the city at $6.58 million.

That transaction followed a Dec. 20 deal for the adjoining vacant parcel at 2801 E. Main St., at the corner of Main and Pear streets, where the new Shiplock Views structure is set to rise. Another Blundon-owned LLC paid just over $2.73 million for the 0.8-acre parcel, which most recently was assessed at $853,000.

Both properties previously were owned by entities tied to Historic Housing, the local development firm led by Louis Salomonsky and David White, who secured zonings for the apartments in 2017. Blundon took over the project the following year and had been under contract to purchase the properties while redesigning the new building, which he originally planned for 144 units.

Historic Housing retains ownership of a third parcel that’s also involved in the project – a triangular-shaped lot on the opposite side of Shiplock Watch that’s planned for 70 surface parking spaces. Blundon said he will lease that lot with an option to buy it later.

Blundon completed the redesign last fall, incorporating a rooftop deck at the river end of the building, with a clubhouse room flanked by two patios with gas grills and seating areas. Other community amenities include a pool and fitness center.

Units will range from 670 to 950 square feet, with monthly rents ranging from $1,300 to $2,300. About 135 of the apartments will be one-bedroom floor plans, while the rest will be two-bedroom units.

While the redesign allowed for more units, the height of the new building remains five stories on the Main Street side and nine stories above ground on the river side of the sloped site. Building height had been a point of contention for nearby residents with previous development proposals, including a 13-story condo tower that was withdrawn due to concerns from neighbors.

Walter Parks Architects designed the building, and Purcell Construction is on board as the general contractor. HG Design Studio designed the landscaped parking on the triangular lot.

Blundon put the development cost for Shiplock Views at about $35 million, with Atlantic Union Bank in talks to provide financing for the new construction. Blundon said Shiplock Watch will be branded and marketed as part of Shiplock Views but will remain financed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Site work got underway last fall, and construction is slated for completion in spring 2021.