Commander’s presence and story

Commander Apartments at 125 S 1300 E stands as a classic 3‑story, 15‑unit brick building with strong curb appeal just one block from the University of Utah. Its historic 1930s construction, defined roofline, and symmetrical façade give it the kind of recognizable identity institutional buyers and private capital both respond to. Framing the marketing around bold exterior photography—full-building elevation, corner angles, and streetscape context—will immediately communicate that this is not a commodity asset, but a named landmark in a supply-constrained submarket.

 

Today’s performance

 

The property is fully leased, operating as established student-oriented housing in a high-demand 84102 rental corridor, with professional and academic tenant draw from the nearby campus and medical facilities. Residents benefit from garage parking, an increasingly scarce amenity in this walkable, close‑in location, as well as easy access to transit, parks, and neighborhood conveniences. Positioned roughly a block from the University of Utah and minutes from downtown, Commander sits in the path of continued enrollment, employment, and rental growth.

 

What this asset can become

From an investment narrative standpoint, Commander can be positioned not only as “fully leased student housing” but as a value-forward, branding-ready boutique multifamily asset. Potential upside themes to highlight include: unit and common-area modernization, rent optimization relative to competing renovated stock, and enhanced bike/storage, tech, and outdoor amenity packages that resonate with today’s student and young professional renter. The marketing piece can explicitly frame forward-looking potential: thoughtful capex deployment, repositioning to a premium or “student-plus” brand, and long-term hold appeal in a land‑constrained, institution-driven submarket.

 

For potential  Investors:

“Commander Apartments is a 15‑unit, fully leased brick community one block from the University of Utah, combining classic 1930s architecture with durable, income-producing student housing fundamentals.”

“With garage parking, a highly walkable location, and immediate proximity to campus, hospitals, and downtown, Commander offers a rare opportunity to control a name‑brand asset in one of Salt Lake City’s most supply‑constrained rental micro‑markets.”

“Investors can preserve the property’s historic character while unlocking upside through targeted interior and common-area upgrades, amenity enhancements, and continued professional management focused on long-term NOI growth.”

Classic brick and massing

The building is a substantial 3‑story brick structure, reading visually as a true “apartment house” rather than a smaller plex or converted property. Its masonry construction, vertical proportions, and multi‑story form give it a timeless, institutional feel that aligns with other historic multifamily buildings near the University and in Salt Lake’s core districts.

 

Historic character and era

Built in the late 1920s–early 1930s era, Commander carries the authentic period character that newer infill can’t replicate. Details like the brick coursing, the flat/membrane roofline, and the overall symmetry of the façade allow you to position it alongside other historic central‑entry and walk‑up apartment buildings that define Salt Lake’s classic multifamily stock.

 

Street presence and orientation

The building faces west toward 1300 East, presenting a broad, formal frontage to a highly visible corridor just off the University campus. Its siting on a landscaped 0.83‑acre lot with curb and gutter, paved road frontage, and long views toward the mountains and valley enhances the sense of a well‑composed, urban edge property rather than a tucked‑away side‑street asset.

 

Site, parking, and approach

Commander’s curb appeal is reinforced by its on‑site parking and garage capacity, which are unusually strong for a historic asset in this location. The combination of brick architecture, ample parking (including 19 garage spaces and additional open stalls), and a flat, well‑improved site gives approaching residents and investors an immediate impression of completeness and quality.

 

Exterior

Commander’s exterior reads as a true brick apartment house with durable, low‑maintenance finishes that reinforce its historic character and investment‑grade image.

Primary structure and roof

Exterior walls are solid brick construction, giving the building a substantial, classic masonry presence rather than a thin veneer or siding look.

The roof is a membrane system, a common choice for flat or low‑slope multifamily roofs, which supports clean parapet lines and a simple, urban profile from the street.

Facade and visual texture

The uninterrupted brick façades create consistent color, texture, and rhythm across all elevations, which photographs well and visually differentiates Commander from nearby stucco and wood‑sided product.

Brick detailing and coursing around openings and corners subtly break up the massing, adding depth and shadow without relying on trendy or fast‑dating materials.

Foundation, site interface, and garages

The building sits on a traditional foundation with an integrated lower‑level garage/basement configuration, tying the brick superstructure down into the site and giving the base a grounded, permanent feel.

At grade, paved surfaces, curb and gutter, and the 19‑stall garage component interface cleanly with the primary brick exterior, so the site, parking, and structure read as one cohesive, well‑finished environment.

“All‑brick construction with a modern membrane roof and integrated garage level, offering timeless architecture, low‑maintenance durability, and a cohesive exterior finish palette that stands out among nearby stucco and siding product.”

Commander’s all‑brick exterior gives it a more enduring and authentic feel than many of the mixed-material “luxury” buildings delivered in the last cycle.

 

Material palette comparison

Commander: Solid brick façades with a membrane roof and integrated garage level, creating a cohesive, masonry-dominant envelope.

New luxury product: Frequently mixes thin brick or brick accents with large areas of stucco, fiber‑cement siding, metal panels, and extensive glazing over wood or podium structures.

Perceived quality and durability

Commander’s brick reads as heavier, more permanent construction, which many residents and investors associate with better sound attenuation, thermal stability, and long-term durability.

Much of the contemporary “luxury” stock is optimized for speed and cost, with lighter cladding systems and multi‑material façades that can weather or date faster, especially large stucco and fiber‑cement expanses.

Visual character and branding

Commander presents a simple, timeless brick massing that photographs as a classic apartment house and aligns naturally with the surrounding University Historic district context.

Competing luxury apartments lean on complex patterns of brick, metal, fiber cement, and stucco, plus projecting balconies and heavy glazing, which can convey trend-forward design but less of the grounded, historic identity Commander offers.

 

 

 

This 15-unit apartment opportunity at 125 South 1300 East sits in one of Salt Lake City’s most desirable, walkable locations near the University of Utah and downtown. The property combines classic charm with in-demand urban convenience and secure garage parking for every resident.

Prime University location

Situated just off 1300 East, the complex offers easy access to the University of Utah, neighborhood parks, shopping, and dining, making it highly attractive to both students and professionals. Residents enjoy quick connections to TRAX, major bus lines, and key commuter routes, lowering car dependency and boosting long-term rental demand.

15 units with garage parking

The building consists of 15 apartment units, a rare size that balances operational efficiency with hands-on management control. Secure garage parking adds a strong competitive advantage in this area, supporting premium rents, resident retention, and year-round appeal in all weather.

Classic building, urban lifestyle

Set in an established urban neighborhood, the property offers the character and charm renters expect near campus and downtown. Sidewalks, bikeability, and tree-lined streets contribute to an attractive lifestyle feel, enhancing both leasing velocity and long-term value.

Investment highlights

• 15-unit apartment complex in a high-demand rental corridor.

• Garage parking for residents, a scarce amenity in this location.

• Walkable access to the University of Utah, transit, shops, and dining.

• Desirable unit count for investors seeking scale without institutional size.

Printable Fact Sheet COMMANDER Apts

MSL Printable Data Sheet