Celebrating Big Wins: National Recognition and New Beginnings at HILLS

Great communities are built through years of intention, and every so often the results are worth pausing to celebrate. From a national award to a long-awaited Grand Opening to the reopening of a cherished gathering space, HILLS Properties has been marking some meaningful moments. Here is a closer look at each one.

Graphite Oakley Named 2026 NAA New Construction Community of the Year

We are proud to share that Graphite Oakley has been named the 2026 New Construction Community of the Year by the National Apartment Association. The honor was presented during Apartmentalize, the NAA’s annual conference and exposition, in New Orleans. The NAA Excellence Awards recognize communities, industry professionals, and organizations that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence across rental housing, making national recognition one of the highest honors in our industry.

What makes this achievement so meaningful is the story behind it. Graphite Oakley sits on the former site of the Cincinnati Milling Machine Company, later known as Milacron, a foundry that locals once called The Mill. At its peak, it was the largest machine tool manufacturing facility in the world and a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s identity as the City of Makers. Through a comprehensive remediation under the Ohio Voluntary Action Program, that industrial site was transformed into a thriving, LEED certified residential community that residents are proud to call home.

The results speak for themselves. Graphite Oakley maintains a 97 percent occupancy rate and a 73 percent average retention rate, outperforming local and regional benchmarks. The community pairs a bold, industrial-inspired design with amenities built for modern living, including a two-story clubhouse that serves as a 24-hour social and productivity hub, a heated saltwater pool, individual wellness pods for yoga, cycling, and high intensity training, and generous storage found even in the 1-bedroom homes. The Vitality residents to nearby Oakley Station businesses, turning residency into true neighborhood belonging.

This recognition belongs to everyone who brought Graphite Oakley to life, from our development and construction teams to the residential property management professionals who deliver an exceptional resident experience every day. It is a national honor with deep local roots, and we could not be prouder.

Relay 129 Celebrates Grand Opening in Liberty Township

Closer to home, we marked the Grand Opening of Relay 129 in Liberty Township on May 15, a day officially proclaimed Relay 129 Day. Our development, construction, accounting, and onsite teams joined the West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance for a ribbon cutting that celebrated the opening of the clubhouse and the delivery of more than 100 apartment homes now welcoming residents.

Relay 129 is the fourth HILLS community in the West Chester and Liberty Township area, and it holds a special place in the Freedom Pointe development anchored by Costco. The community blends apartment homes and townhomes, with home styles ranging from townhomes to elevator-served buildings. Its name is a nod to Route 129 and the site’s history as the former Voice of America relay station, a fitting tribute to a community built to connect people. Construction is now fully vertical, with the final building expected in summer 2027.

Relay 129 joins a growing HILLS portfolio across the region, and it reflects our continued investment in communities where people want to live, work, and gather.

The Square at Union Centre Reopens After a $2.5 Million Transformation

On June 4, 2026, we celebrated the reopening of The Square @ Union Centre following a $2.5 million transformation, the first major update in 16 years. The project was completed on time and 

roughly $1 million under budget, a result we are especially proud of. A ribbon cutting welcomed the community back to a space reimagined for how people gather today.

The renovated Square features a rebuilt, weather-protected stage with a permanent canopy and digital screen, interactive splash pads, expanded lawn space, additional seating and shade 

structures, lawn swings, and upgraded event lighting. The reopening set the stage for The Takeover summer concert series, bringing live music and energy back to one of the area’s favorite gathering places.

For residents at nearby HILLS communities like Clocktower West Chester, Savoy at The Streets of West Chester, and Landings at Beckett Ridge, The Square is more than a public space. It is an extension of the neighborhood and the lifestyle that makes this area feel like home.

A Commitment to the Communities We Serve

From a national award that celebrated the transformation of a historic Cincinnati site, to a Grand Opening that welcomed new residents in Liberty Township, to the revival of a cherished community gathering space in West Chester, Q2 showed what it looks like to live our values every day. Thank you to every HILLS team member, development partner, and community leader who made these milestones possible. We are grateful for the communities we serve, and we are just getting started.