BLOG

Affordable upstate

Parkins Ridge affordable townhomes address housing’s ‘missing middle’

The “missing” middle is a term that has gained traction in recent years to describe the gap between detached single-family homes and density luxury rentals.



With increased cost of construction leading to a scarcity in the development of new low- and middle-income housing, prospective tenants are faced with a choice: either rent substandard units or spend well above their level of affordability.

A 52-unit townhome development from Brian Albers and Mario Brown of Affordable Upstate aims to fill that missing middle.



Located at 101 Ridge Road in Greenville, the majority 2- and 3-bedroom townhome-style apartments are the result of a $500,000, year-long renovation process that improved the exterior and interior finishes, while also including facade upgrades, kitchen and bathroom upgrades and a community space.

They’re actually more willing to take a rent increase when they have confidence that issues will get taken care of … – Mario Brown, Affordable Upstate

Uniquely, the development retained more than 85% of existing residents and the complex is already 100% occupied.


Brown, a Greenville native who attended high school at JL Mann Academy across the street from the development, said that although rent has increased for residents, he wanted to be sure the project didn’t push out residents.

“People aren’t losing their homes,” Brown said. “They’re actually more willing to take a rent increase when they have confidence that issues will get taken care of by the owners and a professional third-party property manager handling maintenance and upkeep.”

Affordable Upstate partnered with the City of Greenville and the Greenville Housing Fund for the upgrades, which allowed for a property tax abatement to keep rents low by area standards.



Affordable Upstate is a regional multifamily investment firm with more than $39 million in assets under management.

Diversify Your Portfolio with Commercial Real Estate Investments Opportunities

BECOME AN AU IMPACT INVESTOR!

MORE FROM THE BLOG

Affordable Upstate building success in Greenville SC
By Mario Brown October 10, 2025
Affordable housing is a major buzz word in the Upstate right now. As people move in, it creates more demand for housing of all kinds. And with a short supply of available housing, that has created a major increase in prices.
Affordable Upstate
By Mario Brown September 5, 2025
Blog on the challenges facing housing in Upstate South Carolia
Affordable Upstate, a developer and creator of affordable housing in Greenville, Anderson
August 13, 2025
Affordable Upstate, a developer and creator of affordable housing in Greenville, Anderson and Spartanburg
VIEW MORE POSTS