The Mill apartments: groundbreaking honors the past, looks to the future with Daniel Pratt’s legacy in Mind
Article written by Sarah Stephens of Elmore-Autauga News
The official groundbreaking for The Mill Apartments of Prattville took place Friday with over 100 people in attendance. Officials, partners, and members of the community marked the importance of the Daniel Pratt Gin Factory Complex beginning a new, residential journey.
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie, front left, and former HPRA Chairman Tommy Newton, at right, shovel dirt at the official groundbreaking. Lead architect Nick Henninger in far left. Nick Frontiero Photography
“We are so excited to be here today. That is an understatement,” Kea Calame, Sr. Vice President of Asset Management for Envolve Communities, said in her address to attendees. The massive preservation and redevelopment of Daniel Pratt’s buildings has already begun. Officials said it is hoped the project will be complete by the middle of 2023.
Envolve Communities is the developer behind the apartments. The work is being done by Whaley Construction, and the architect firm is Chambless King.
“When we first began this journey with the HPRA (Historic Preservation Redevelopment Authority), we knew this project was special. It turned out to be beyond special. The passion of this community for this project just blew us away,” she said.
Calame said that preserving the buildings of Pratt’s complex is so important. The property directly represents an industry that meant so much to so many over the years, impacted countless lives, and provided for families—making preservation that much more critical.
“This project is not just another apartment complex, but very special,” Calame said.
Calame said when this journey began seven years ago, everyone knew there would be challenges in restoring and reconstructing buildings that date back to the mid-1800s.
“But the most special thing about this piece of real estate also turned out to be the most complicated. Dealing with environmental hurdles proved to be brutal. But one thing remained with all team members involved – perseverance. And here we are today.”
Calame said, “We have been so blessed to be part of this journey to bring this building and this site back to life.”