A rental housing complex under construction in Harbour View will include 224 garden-style apartment homes in a gated community, a spokeswoman for the developer says.

Meridian Harbourview, visible off Harbour View Boulevard behind the Bon Secours Health Center, will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, said Renee Pulliam, Property Management Division vice president for Waverton Associates.

Apartments will be spread amongst seven four-story buildings serviced by elevators, Pulliam said. Residents will have access to a community center, as well as the option of renting garage space.

The development, Pulliam said, also includes a maintenance building with car wash and compactor facility, along with a mail kiosk.

The community center, or clubhouse, will incorporate a “resort-style, beach-entry pool,” Pulliam said, along with business and fitness centers, racquetball court and more.

“The entire community will be a gated community with access restricted to residential guests,” she said.

“Residents will have a key fob that grants access to clubhouse facilities after hours.”

Waverton had been looking around the Suffolk area “a little while” for the right piece of land, according to Pulliam.

The site was purchased in April 2012, she said.

“All of the market research is showing an increasing need for rental housing,” she added. “North Suffolk is a prime location, with easy access to interstates. All of the infrastructure is already in place.

“(With) the proximity to retail, businesses (and) government contractors, it’s a great place, and people need housing.”

All apartments will be rentals, she said, with pre-leasing to start in October.

Rent will range from $900 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, up to $1,500 for three bedrooms.

The development is costing “just over” $27 million, Pulliam said, and Waverton has partnered with other investors.

“With the proximity to businesses, it’s a good location for corporate housing,” she said.

Pulliam said construction would be phased over time and finished by early summer at the latest.

She said renters would move in as buildings receive occupancy certificates. “We don’t have to wait until it’s completely finished,” she said.

The clubhouse should be ready in November, Pulliam said, and apartments should start becoming available from Jan. 1.

“We are very excited about the location,” she said. “When they see our community, they are going to love it.

“It’s a great product, and we are very excited to bring it to the Suffolk area.”

A grand opening is scheduled for spring, she said.