TACOMA, Wash. — Another motel converted into apartments is now taking applications for tenants in the city of Tacoma.

This new project, by Sage Investment Group, converted the former Hotel Thea into studio apartments, that their webpage calls “fit for fast-paced living.”

The new studio apartments come furnished with a bed, desk and large vanity outside the bathroom, plus a full-size kitchen.

“A full-size range and full-size refrigerator in here, so we’re able to offer this and every single one of our units,” Whitney Wilkins, with the Sage Investment Group told KOMO News while giving us a tour of the new space.

This is the third hotel, a former Choice Hotel, that the Sage Investment group is converting in Tacoma.

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“This one presented a really great opportunity as it was an all-encompassing hotel so we’re able to keep the pool and gym area,” Wilkins explained.

And it’s not the only hotel/motel conversion along South Hosmer Street.

Mitchell Vasquez told KOMO News that he’s enjoying his new studio apartment, just down the street at Cascade Ridge Apartments.

“I know it was like a two-star motel before, but the space is pretty nice even for studio, it’s pretty big. It’s pretty close to the highway and it’s gated so it seems safe,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez, who just graduated from college, is still looking for a job as a video game designer or systems designer and despite his tight budget he found the amenities he needed at Cascade Ridge.

“This one does have like a utilities package. It comes with cable and Internet gig speed, which is what I needed for work. Oh yeah, that was another big thing I was looking for AC!” said Vasquez.

Those are added bonuses for companies converting hotels since those systems are already in place.

Upon hearing that old hotels and motels are being converted, some automatically think this is low-income or affordable housing, but it’s not. It is micro-housing.

“This is attainable housing, at market rate however we’d like to be really competitive in the market,” said Wilkins.

In addition to the Thea Apartments, Safe Harbor Apartments, now open for almost a year, is fully occupied.

Hometown Suites, Wilkins said just a little further down Hosmer Street will be available soon.

“We consider Hosmer as a corridor of opportunity so not only do we do these renovations but really try to actively engage with the community and local city government. We find ways that we can be involved and find ways that we can help with improvement and beautification efforts,” Wilkins explained.

Wilkins said they do the standard screenings, with background and income level criteria and she said they also provide on-site management at each of their properties.

“Whenever we take a property on we really feel a sense of responsibility to the property to the tenants into the community,” said Wilkins.

The studios at the new Thea Apartments, open for applicants right now, will rent for $1,295 to $1,395 with utility and internet packages offered for about $200 a month.

Vasquez told KOMO News his base rent is $1,050 five minutes down the street at Cascade Ridge. With his utilities/internet package added on his monthly payment is $1,290.

There’s still some work to be done on this property – but the application process is open for people to apply.

Thea Apartments, at 7414 S. Hosmer Street, is offering one month free to those who sign a lease by August 31st.

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