Amenities & Model Unit Reinvention
Dockside Apartments Renovation
Merging two buildings into one to create a contemporary amenity space with a modern lakeside feel.
Thrive Communities came to Board & Vellum knowing this multifamily community needed updating to meet the needs of its current and future residents, and to reflect the changing mindset about how we live in a work-from-home world.
The inspiration was a lakeside retreat — at once peaceful and lively. Each updated space seeks a balance between the contrasting moods to create spaces perfect for relaxation and recreation in equal measure.
We started by completely rethinking the floor plan to create more connection between the once-compartmentalized spaces — including literally connecting two existing buildings by introducing a central, axial corridor. Though still discrete, each space now flows seamlessly to the next, and the amenity complex is a cohesive whole.
The building now offers a figurative and literal experience of connection to the generous amenity offerings, including a redesigned clubhouse, lounge, fitness center, and pool.

Golden Accents Among the Blues & Greens
A mustard yellow accent couch stands out among the blues and teals of the “modern lakeside” palette. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Golden Accents Among the Blues & Greens
A mustard yellow accent couch stands out among the blues and teals of the “modern lakeside” palette. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Fireplace Gathering Space
Generous seating options center around a linear fireplace tucked below open display shelving. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Fireplace Gathering Space
Generous seating options center around a linear fireplace tucked below open display shelving. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Drawing Attention to Volume with Dramatic Trim
The room is anchored with dark wainscoting, then the full volume of the space celebrated by bringing the painted accents up the walls and to the gabled ceiling. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Drawing Attention to Volume with Dramatic Trim
The room is anchored with dark wainscoting, then the full volume of the space celebrated by bringing the painted accents up the walls and to the gabled ceiling. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Multi-Use Shared Spaces
Residents and guests in the clubhouse can gather in discrete yet unified spaces, from the eat-in kitchen to the gathering spaces around the fireplace and television. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Multi-Use Shared Spaces
Residents and guests in the clubhouse can gather in discrete yet unified spaces, from the eat-in kitchen to the gathering spaces around the fireplace and television. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
The Dockside clubhouse is the anchor of the community. Its design centers around the various lifestyle needs of the community’s residents — space to decompress, space to host friends and family, and space to stay active. A comfortable great room offers back-to-back seating areas — one centered around a television, the other centered around a cozy fireplace.
Above the fireplace, open display shelving provides a visual connection to the community kitchen beyond. In the kitchen, too, there are multiple ways to enjoy the space — with bar seating at the island, or tables for two along the opposite banquette — enabling more than one group to utilize the space at one time.

Counter and Banquette Seating
Varied seating options help make the amenity kitchen functional for individuals or groups. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Counter and Banquette Seating
Varied seating options help make the amenity kitchen functional for individuals or groups. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Open Display Shelving Partition
Open shelving filled with art, books, and curios provides a filtered visual partition between spaces. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Open Display Shelving Partition
Open shelving filled with art, books, and curios provides a filtered visual partition between spaces. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Curated Furnishings
Teal stools with caned backrests and chairs wicker accents lean in to the the lakeside design concept. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Curated Furnishings
Teal stools with caned backrests and chairs wicker accents lean in to the the lakeside design concept. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Shared Kitchen
The shared kitchen overlooks the pool deck, and offers space to prepare snacks or drinks. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Shared Kitchen
The shared kitchen overlooks the pool deck, and offers space to prepare snacks or drinks. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Lounge Working Space
Stools at a shallow counter offer more varied seating options for residents looking to relax or slip in a little laptop time on the fringes of shared spaces. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Lounge Working Space
Stools at a shallow counter offer more varied seating options for residents looking to relax or slip in a little laptop time on the fringes of shared spaces. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
On the walls, a soft neutral base is offset by high contrast trim and beams painted in a sophisticated shade of teal. Throughout, warm yellows and golds add a pop of sunshine against watery blues and greens.
On the other side of the building, sunken in a few steps, is a second, quiet lounge housed near the new leasing office. In contrast to the more active great room, the quiet lounge provides a designated spot for more peaceful pursuits, like studying, reading, or working. A designated business lounge provides an additional quiet workspace specifically for residents with hectic work schedules or who primarily work from home.

Eye-Catching Furnishings
Vibrant yellow armchairs create a lively gathering space offset by the cool blues of the walls and soft tan of the wood accents. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Eye-Catching Furnishings
Vibrant yellow armchairs create a lively gathering space offset by the cool blues of the walls and soft tan of the wood accents. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Creating Easily Shared Spaces
Multiple centers of seating within larger rooms create subspaces for different gatherings of residents to enjoy. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Creating Easily Shared Spaces
Multiple centers of seating within larger rooms create subspaces for different gatherings of residents to enjoy. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Pool-Side Viewing
A long low sofa invites pool-side relaxation, even while indoors. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Pool-Side Viewing
A long low sofa invites pool-side relaxation, even while indoors. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cozy Gathering
A plush couch is situated to enjoy movies by the fire. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Cozy Gathering
A plush couch is situated to enjoy movies by the fire. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Quiet Lounge
Tucked away from the livelier clubhouse spaces, a quieter, sunken lounge offers lounge or table seating. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Quiet Lounge
Tucked away from the livelier clubhouse spaces, a quieter, sunken lounge offers lounge or table seating. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Throughout, distinct amenity areas cater to residents’ specific needs, like a spa shower for rinsing off after a dip in the outdoor pool. And the fitness center provides ground-floor cardio and ADA-accessible equipment, while a mezzanine level offers additional space for weightlifting.
The units are designed for flexible family life, with fireplaces, balconies, and eat-in kitchens. The new model unit highlights these family-first elements in the same lakeside retreat theme of the amenity spaces.

Leasing Desk
High-contrast geometric tile provides a dramatic backdrop for a leasing desk. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Leasing Desk
High-contrast geometric tile provides a dramatic backdrop for a leasing desk. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Hospitality Kitchenette
Around the corner from the leasing desk, a kitchenette services any hospitality needs. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Hospitality Kitchenette
Around the corner from the leasing desk, a kitchenette services any hospitality needs. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Coffee Lounge
Outside the gym, another lounge area offers coffee and tea. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Coffee Lounge
Outside the gym, another lounge area offers coffee and tea. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Dockside Apartments Refresh
The renovated amenity building now features a three-level fitness space. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Dockside Apartments Refresh
The renovated amenity building now features a three-level fitness space. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Gym Shower
Even the gym shower presents a spa-like feel. Dockside Apartments | Photo by Cory Holland.
Gym Shower
Even the gym shower presents a spa-like feel. Dockside Apartments | Photo by Cory Holland.

Entrance Canopy
A covered entrance invites visitors into the now-unified amenity building. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Entrance Canopy
A covered entrance invites visitors into the now-unified amenity building. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Pool-Side Entrance
The other end of the central corridor connecting two formerly-discrete buildings opens to the pool deck. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Pool-Side Entrance
The other end of the central corridor connecting two formerly-discrete buildings opens to the pool deck. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Pool Lounge
The design’s sunny yellow accents continue in the exterior spaces where the yellow loungers contrast with the blue of the pool. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Pool Lounge
The design’s sunny yellow accents continue in the exterior spaces where the yellow loungers contrast with the blue of the pool. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Outdoor Games Space
Lit at night with overhead party lights, an outdoor game space off the play lawn features ping pong and a bocce court. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Outdoor Games Space
Lit at night with overhead party lights, an outdoor game space off the play lawn features ping pong and a bocce court. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Model Unit Living Room
The staged model unit is designed to feel cohesive with the shared amenity spaces, yet filled with more personal effects and touches. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Model Unit Living Room
The staged model unit is designed to feel cohesive with the shared amenity spaces, yet filled with more personal effects and touches. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Balanced Color Palette
The color theme of blues and greens with wood accents and flashes of yellow feels balanced in large or small spaces. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Balanced Color Palette
The color theme of blues and greens with wood accents and flashes of yellow feels balanced in large or small spaces. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Accent Sofa on a Theme
Harkening back to the mustard yellow sofa in the clubhouse, the yellow couch in the model unit helps draw a common thread through the leasing tour. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Accent Sofa on a Theme
Harkening back to the mustard yellow sofa in the clubhouse, the yellow couch in the model unit helps draw a common thread through the leasing tour. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Playing to the Resident’s Imagination
The accoutrements of everyday life populate the staged model unit, making it easy for potential residents to imagine themselves in the space. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Playing to the Resident’s Imagination
The accoutrements of everyday life populate the staged model unit, making it easy for potential residents to imagine themselves in the space. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Model Unit Kitchen
Painted cabinets and white subway tile create a neutral backdrop in the unit kitchen. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Model Unit Kitchen
Painted cabinets and white subway tile create a neutral backdrop in the unit kitchen. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Creating Cool and Clean Spaces
Soft grays and wood textures help to create a calm feel for the primary bathroom. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Creating Cool and Clean Spaces
Soft grays and wood textures help to create a calm feel for the primary bathroom. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Kid’s Bedroom
Staging the second bedroom of the model unit as a kid’s room supports the family feel of the complex. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Kid’s Bedroom
Staging the second bedroom of the model unit as a kid’s room supports the family feel of the complex. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Down to the Details
From art to textiles to toys, residents on a leasing tour experience a well-told story. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Down to the Details
From art to textiles to toys, residents on a leasing tour experience a well-told story. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Hall Bath
The hall bath is staged playfully to pair with the staged kid’s bedroom, but still follow the blue and yellow theme. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Hall Bath
The hall bath is staged playfully to pair with the staged kid’s bedroom, but still follow the blue and yellow theme. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

The Balanced Drama of Bold Colors
Careful layering of textures, materials, colors, and details creates a dynamic yet completely uncluttered feel for the main bedroom. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
The Balanced Drama of Bold Colors
Careful layering of textures, materials, colors, and details creates a dynamic yet completely uncluttered feel for the main bedroom. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.

Sweet Dreams by the Lake
Never losing sight of the design concept, the “modern lakeside” theme carries through the entire model unit. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Sweet Dreams by the Lake
Never losing sight of the design concept, the “modern lakeside” theme carries through the entire model unit. Dockside Apartments Renovation | Photo by Cory Holland.
Notes & Credits
Photography by Cory Holland.
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