Good Dogs Deserve Good Digs
downtown Eau Claire’s new B7 Flats prides itself on pet-friendly amenities
Downtown Eau Claire’s newest apartment community may also be its most pet-friendly.
B7 Flats, whose 111 units officially opened in September, was designed with the latest amenities for both its human residents and their canine companions.
For humans, that means accommodations that range from cozy alcove units to spacious two-bedroom apartments, all with full-size front-loading washers and dryers, nine-foot ceilings, stainless-steel appliances, and more. The five-story building on North Barstow Street also features a rooftop patio, a well-appointed community room, a billiard room, and a fitness center.
And when it comes to dogs, B7 Flats’ builders rolled out the red carpet – although, to be more specific, it’s actually a green carpet, which covers the outdoor Bark Park on the building’s south side.
The artificial grass gives pooches a place to run off some energy and do their “business” on a surface that’s easily washable and cleaned frequently.
Every morning, resident Nicole Sanders brings Gracie – her year-and-a-half-old Pomeranian – to the ground-level Bark Park for a quick visit to the artificial grass.
“She comes out here, and it’s so nice to have a safe area to run around in. She loves playing fetch, smelling the other dogs’ smells, and making friends,” Sanders said.
The Bark Park – which features a bench, a plastic bag station, and a waste bin – is located next to the parking lot that separates B7 Flats from the Menomonie Market Food Co-op, so expect your canine to get some positive attention from shoppers as they come and go. Such interactions with fellow dog owners and dog lovers are key to the kind of urban community that B7 Flats is trying to foster.
And when it comes to dogs, B7 Flats’ builders rolled out the red carpet – although, to be more specific, it’s actually a green carpet, which covers the outdoor Bark Park on the building’s south side.
Of course, if your dog is up for some more exercise, B7 Flats is just a short stroll from beautiful Phoenix Park, which is connect to the city’s extensive urban trail system.
Sanders, who is also director of marketing for Compass Real Estate Management, which oversees the building, is pleased to show off another pooch-pampering part of B7 Flats. Just around the corner from the building’s lobby, you’ll find a room dedicated to keeping your canine clean: Inside, there’s a stainless steel dog-washing station, complete with a fold-down ramp that makes it easy for your pup to step up and inside, as well as adjustable floor to accommodate different sizes of dogs. They’ve thought of all the details, including a rubberized pad that you can cover in peanut butter (or your dog’s favorite treat) and stick to the wall to occupy Fido while he’s being shampooed.
While dogs do have to be leashed inside B7 Flats, they are free to visit all the building’s common areas, including the community room (if you want to watch a movie with your furry friend) and the second-floor rooftop patio (if you want your pet to join you as you grill out or enjoy the downtown views). The hallways are even extra wide to allow dogs and people to pass each other comfortably. The apartment building welcomes dogs under 40 pounds as well as cats.
Sanders doesn’t know of any other apartment buildings in town that have such pet-friendly amenities. “The developers really did take their best knowledge and put it together in this property,” she said.
Whether you’re a pet owner or not, B7 Flats’ community areas are important to the atmosphere that the building is meant to foster: They create spaces where people can get outside their apartments, relax, and connect with their neighbors, all without leaving the building.
“We know that pets are like family,” Sanders said – and B7 Flats wants your family to feel right at home.
Interested in checking out B7 Flats? They invite you to their website at B7FLATS.com to see the various unit types and to schedule a showing today.
