Despite pouring rain, a group of excited city officials, property managers and construction contractors gathered Thursday to cut another ribbon in the downtown area.

Unlike many in the past, however, this ribbon was not strung up in front of a business, but rather an apartment complex in a renovated warehouse. The renovation of the former popcorn machine-making factory on Commerce Street created 16 apartments ranging in size from studio to two-bedrooms.

“Each apartment is a little bit different,” said Tom Dickey of Monument Construction.

The apartments feature exposed piping, painted brick and original hardwood floors on the second story. However, newer features include granite counter tops and ceramic and marble bathrooms.

Half the apartments are leased already, officials said at the gathering. The company also performed the renovations on the nearby East Point Plaza project, which also turned an old warehouse into apartments and commercial space.

“Thank you for another wonderful project,” Councilman Charles Parr said at the ribbon-cutting. “Hopefully we can get that rail stop over here. That’s just going to make the whole area boom.”

The apartments rent for about $775 to $1,100 per month, depending on square footage. Internet, DirectTV, sewer, water and trash pickup all are included in the cost, Dickey said.

“Suffolk’s got a college town feel to it,” Dickey said, noting all the restaurants nearby. “This is a great location.”

Mayor Linda T. Johnson called the project “another exciting development” in a press release.

“This is another exciting development for Monument Construction, one with a great opportunity to transform what once was an overlooked warehouse building into a beautiful new housing complex within downtown Suffolk,” she said. “This project is a perfect match in following the national trend that people want to live, work and play in close proximity.”