What are they Building on Health Center Drive?

If you look to the right when traveling southbound on Collington Road, just off Route 50, it's hard to miss the construction project on Health Center Drive that's gone up seemingly over night.

But what is the mysterious project? What are they building? When will it be ready? 

The development is known as Harmony Place. Once intended to be the location of desperately needed senior housing in Bowie, the property was sold by the original developers and is now being redeveloped into luxury apartments. 

The 286-unit high-end apartment complex will include one 247-unit building with an enclosed five-story interior garage, a smaller 39-unit building with a garage, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, a tot lot, and trails.

The Bowie City Council supported the original rezoning of the property to residential because the developer promised to build senior housing on the property, according to Joe Meinert, planning director for the city of Bowie. 

When those plans fell through, the developer sold the property to the current owner. The city fought hard to keep the project designated housing for seniors to no avail. The Harmony Place development was approved by the Prince George's County Planning board over the city council's objection. 

However, the current developers did offer somewhat of a compromise. 

"They’ve agreed to market the project to seniors because of its good location," said Meinert. 

The developer did not return calls for comment, but at the rate of construction, Meinert said he would not be surprised if the complex was ready to start leasing as early as this summer.