With construction underway on numerous loft projects in the South Mountain Village, trendy living is no longer limited to downtown’s urban core.

This month, South Mountain Lofts, a 59-unit project at Dobbins Road and 2^nd Avenue, is set to break ground. Phase I of the gated community will include 41 units ranging in size from 1,950-1,990 square feet, with elevator options and flexible floor plans that can accommodate 2 to 4 bedrooms. Each of the 18 units in Phase II will encompass 1,750 square feet.

Prices start in the $290,000s.

“It’s a unique design and it’s time to start doing unique things. Everything I develop is always different,” said developer Mark Richmond, who is also building similar properties in Tempe and Scottsdale.

To give the development a safer, community-type feel, each unit will have a garage in the back, a porch and a yard. As well, a recreational area with a pool will be available for residents.

“When you look out the window, you can watch your kids playing and know they’re not going to be in the street; they’ll be in this enclosed area,” he added.

Richmond is also considering installing security cameras throughout the project. The cameras, which would be wired to the Internet, would allow homeowners to login remotely and view any activity around their unit for the previous six months.

Although sales won’t officially start until October, six units have already been sold. More information is available by visiting www.southmountainlofts.com.

While many residential developers have focused their energy along the Baseline Corridor, few have ventured as far north as O’Carroll-Leavitt Development. The family run company is currently creating loft projects along Broadway Road. One of those developments, SoMo Lofts – which is just south of Broadway Road at 28^th Street – is set to open its first units in less than 60 days. Construction will be completed in three phases.

“We took a lot of heat at the beginning when we started buying land,” said Principal Gary Leavitt, who just recently sold a loft project site behind South Mountain High School. “People called us crazy, but I’m sure glad we did it now. We’ve had nothing but positive comments. People in the area come by and thank us for it.”

Each loft in the 84-unit community will be 1,200 square feet and have two bedrooms; two bathrooms; an attached, tandem two-car garage; and a private backyard. Leavitt said one of the primary factors when creating the community was being able to offer quality housing at an affordable price. Each unit is priced below $200,000.

“Our niche is infill, affordable housing,” he remarked “A lot of people can’t afford a $500,000 loft downtown and don’t want to drive 50 miles to Queen Creek.”

Less than four miles to the west, O’Carroll-Leavitt Development is creating Corona Lofts, a 92-unit community featuring two and three bedrooms, with floor plans ranging in size from 1,100-1,800 square feet. Similar to SoMo Lofts, units will have unobstructed views of downtown Phoenix and South Mountain. Prices also start below $200,000.

Additional information about O’Carroll-Leavitt Development projects is available at www.developarizona.com.

A more upscale, high-end loft project is currently in the planning stages south of Baseline Road at 32^nd Street. According to Cindy Rango, a member of the sales team for The Lofts at South Mountain Preserve, some of the units’ preliminary features include private elevators and courtyards, upgraded stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. The project will be complemented by boutique-type shops. Rango said building could begin in early 2007, with the first units available in about a year.