For 30 years, Anderson Communities has been building a better place to live in central Kentucky.
It all started with a single house and a local pharmacist who had a knack for real estate and vision to “build a better community” one home at a time. When Dennis Anderson wasn’t behind the counter at the pharmacy, he was out finding properties to purchase, renovate, and return to the community as improved, safe, and affordable housing. Seeing the potential and need in the city’s housing market, Anderson discontinued his pharmacy practice to focus full time on real estate development and took on the role of owner/president of Anderson Communities. By 1993, he had remodeled more than 100 homes, improving many of Lexington’s existing neighborhoods.
In the mid-nineties, Anderson turned his attention towards mixed-use developments, which incorporate both housing and commercial real estate space with the goal of forming a greater sense of connection between the residents as well the business owners with whom they regularly interact. Anderson is considered a pioneer in the mixed-use community sector, paving the way for growth citywide.
Today, Anderson Communities owns and manages over 2,800 homes in and around Central Kentucky. They offer a wide selection of housing options including apartments, townhomes, and singles family homes. Locations are available in the heart of downtown Lexington, the desirable Kenwick-Midtown area, the suburban neighborhoods outside of New Circle, and even in Versailles and Georgetown. Anderson Communities also offers apartment living adjacent to the beautiful McNeely Lake in Louisville.
Park Plaza Apartments, Anderson Communities’ high-rise apartment complex in downtown Lexington, is arguably one of the company’s most recognizable communities.
Anderson can attest to Park Plaza’s perks firsthand, as he occupies a top-floor penthouse. The space embodies the best of luxury apartment living with an open floor plan that combines warm wood, sleek metal, industrial details, and a neutral palette of white and shades of gray. Pops of color, original art, and modern furnishings throughout bring visual interest to this calm, contemporary oasis. Standout features include the silver tile backsplash, built-in kitchen island table, and stone corner fireplace.
But the pièce de résistance is the view provided by the floor to ceiling windows that grace every room. Even from the comfort of the rectangular soaking tub, Anderson can look out and see the cityscape. This is, of course, one of his favorite features, but there is so much more he appreciates. Anderson says, “It is about the urban lifestyle, having quick access to everything, including work and recreation. Walking to an evening of fun—dining, movies, opera, sporting events, art viewing, it’s all within a few steps of Park Plaza. And, I love just sitting on the balcony viewing the church steeples, parades, fireworks, the sunset, and moonlit evenings.”
Along with the other residents, Anderson can also take advantage of the many amenities that abound at Park Plaza, such as a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center, an after-hours concierge service, 24-hour package lockers, and even a bark park and pet spa for pampering furry friends.
Adding unique amenities is just another component that came from Anderson Communities’ commitment to, first and foremost, listening to customers and then providing the qualities they prioritized in a place to live. This approach is a key factor in the company’s extraordinary growth. When gathering information, they found people longed for a safe, well-kept, convenient environment conducive to forming relationships with access to permanent green space and walking trails. Each Anderson Communities’ property incorporates these elements.
According to Anderson, “We build secure-by-design communities, not just a place to park your car and sleep. We provide a fun place to live, a place where neighbors become friends, a place near dining and entertainment. You can enjoy maintenance-free living from a high-rise downtown apartment, a midtown bungalow, a suburban cottage, a traditional home or townhome, or a garden-style apartment.”
Consumers also yearn for a property manager that treats them with respect and truthfulness. According to Anderson Communities Regional Manager Casey Mudd, “Listening to our residents and customers, Anderson Communities learned very early that consumers were tired of seeing an advertised price only to discover a lengthy list of required add-on charges. So, today Anderson Communities customers can relax and appreciate an environment with no hidden fees.”
The company also heeded their residents’ desire for customer convenience, and therefore Anderson Communities provides eight local locations with consultants ready to assist. Mudd explains, “Today, many real estate owners and property managers are large national firms, with locations in Chicago or New York. That is not the case at Anderson Communities. We started with a single home in Lexington over thirty years ago. Today, our Main Office is still located in Lexington and one hundred percent of our operations are located inside of Kentucky.” Being local allows Anderson Communities to provide 24-hour emergency maintenance.
Of course, in addition to the many choices of rental properties, Anderson Communities offers those wanting to own a new home the opportunity to build. Their Harmony Home Builder division offers a wide array of floor plans, price points, and locations as well.
For their dedication to excellence, Anderson Communities has received numerous awards, including Bluegrass Tomorrow’s Vision Award, the Mayor’s Award for Best Suburban/Infill Project, the State Homebuilders Association President’s Award for Innovative Design, and the Home Builders Association of Lexington’s Development of the Year Award on three separate occasions.
Looking forward, Mudd says, “We are continuously growing whether that is adding to our preexisting communities or creating new mixed-use communities. We are never stagnating; we are always looking for the next opportunity for our residents, customers and employees. The future is bright, and we are excited to continue to build better communities.”
