A grand opening ceremony was held Sept. 28 for Southern Avenue Villas, 855 W. Southern Ave., a 354-unit high-end apartment complex. It is the first major apartment development in Mesa’s Fiesta District in more than 20 years, according to a press release.

“The Fiesta District is full of opportunities for high energy, creative projects like Southern Avenue Villas. Developers willing to take a chance are getting in on the ground floor of its resurgence,” Mayor John Giles said in the release. “I am pleased to welcome Southern Avenue Villas to Mesa and I wish them the best of success.”

The complex has eight buildings that are three stories each. The development has several significant amenities such as a cabana for social gatherings; a large pool with a spa, shade canopy and tanning ledge; a spacious clubhouse with indoor basketball, fitness center, business center, game room and large clubroom; a sand volleyball court; and a dog park.

“Southern Avenue Villas is an attractive new eastern gateway into the Fiesta District. This is the first new housing in the Fiesta District in more than two decades and provides a much needed higher-end living option for southwest Mesa residents,” Vice Mayor Dennis Kavanaugh said in the release.

Frankel Family Trust, which owns the 20-acre site, privately financed the development. Foursite Consulting was the construction manager and Chasse Building Team of Mesa was the general contractor.