INDIANTOWN – As the sun slid behind Indiantown's horizon Wednesday evening, Nov. 10, the Casa Bella apartment complex officially began its new life as a "home" to residents.

Atway & Sehayik held a grand opening ceremony to celebrate the final step in one journey and the first step toward the next. Indiantown mayor Jackie Clarke and many village council members, Chamber of Commerce members, Martin County Commissioners, even emissaries from Rep. John Snyder's (R-Fla.) office and some residents attended the gathering.

Casa Bella is the first site plan approved since the incorporation of the Village of Indiantown and an example of "the vision of what smart growth could be for the village," according to Daniel Sehayik, a partner with Atway & Sehayik Development Group. He continued that, as developers, they hoped Casa Bella would inspire others of what they could do in town.

Completed almost a year after groundbreaking in Nov. 2020, the 10-unit Mediterranean architectural complex consists of seven residential units and three live/work units. Each residential unit is 800 sq. ft. with two bedrooms, two baths. The difference with the live/work units the bathrooms are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

According to the developer, the unique live/work concept allows the living space to double as a workspace. "Those three units give the flexibility to whoever gets the keys to work, live, or work and live," said Sehayik. "On Monday, it can be an office, on Tuesday and apartment and on Wednesday, it can be both."

The developers denoted their desire to create what fit Indiantown's character, preserve its history and add to that history. They reported that permits would be submitted to the village council in the coming weeks for a 36-unit apartment complex similar to Casa Bella. Parkview is envisioned as a two-story complex with the possibility of two buildings, 20 units in one and 16 in the other, also designed with the live/work concept.

"Our mission statement is to create environments for people to live and businesses thrive, and this shows the need for both amenities and places for people to live." Sehayik continued, "We have 70% (of Casa Bella) leased and hope to be 100% within the next week or two."

Lisa Ervin and her daughter Lilian said they noticed a sign on the property before the groundbreaking and inquired about the apartments.

"We were the first people on the waiting list," said Ervin. She explained how they had waited for months. Ervin said she believed being employed by Martin County made the application process easier, but the wait had benefits.

"We got to pick out our apartment. We're #10," her eyes sparkled as a smile of gratification engulfed her face.

Mayor Jackie Clarke said how grateful she was that Atway & Sehayik chose "to plant (their) seed in the Village of Indiantown." She continued, "There's a housing shortage and this is long overdue and we need more." The mayor said the council and most of the village residents were glad for Atway and Sehayik's contribution to Indiantown.

She also commented that the developers were instrumental in getting the Tractor Supply Co. "across the finish line" and into the construction project along southwest Warfield Blvd. near the Indianwood community. The Atway and Sehayik Development Group sold the 4-acre tract to Hix – Snedeker Companies, the developers, in conjunction with the Tractor Supply Co.

Atway & Sehayik first arrived in Indiantown in 2004 and have invested in Indiantown's growth. The Village Square Two, home to Dunkin' Donuts, the Arts and Craft Loft, Seacoast Bank, Cricket and other businesses, is a previous development. The ongoing construction of the Indiantown Founders Gazabo that faces Casa Bella. The gazabo will be dedicated to Eva Martinez, E Thelma Waters, J Arthur Mattson at a future date. The developer recently initiated an agreement with Florida Power and Light for the high-speed charging stations installed near Dunkin' Donuts.

Sehayik said, "If you have an electric charging vehicle, it takes 30 minutes to charge. We're trying to put Indiantown on the grid." He continued, "If you're passing through town, you get a coffee, get a sandwich, you contribute to the town while you pass through."