Construction Started on New Fargo Apartment Project

Work has commenced on a 262-unit downtown complex designed to increase affordable housing availability.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Construction

Steel frame of an under-construction apartment building and a yellow crane set against a clear sky. — Construction crews began work on the Central at the Horizon apartment complex in downtown Fargo on Sept. 8, a project providing 262 affordable housing units. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Construction officially began on the Central at the Horizon apartment complex in downtown Fargo on Sept. 8, 2026. The 262-unit development is intended to provide housing options for residents priced out of the local rental market.

Why it matters

The project serves as a key initiative to address housing affordability in the downtown area by restricting rents to 60% of the area median income. It represents a significant financial investment into the urban core despite prior local opposition to tax incentives.

The $93.7 million project secured $36 million in state low-income housing tax credits and a $1.7 million city tax exemption. The 262-unit complex is scheduled for completion in early 2028.

The players

Fargo City Commission

The governing body responsible for municipal policy, infrastructure planning, and the approval of tax exemptions for local development projects.

The details

Crews are utilizing specialized construction techniques to safely build on the site, which formerly hosted a gasification plant from 1885 until its 1960 demolition following a fatal explosion. The project developers previously withdrew a request for a 15-year tax exemption after facing resistance from local boards.

1885-1960: A gasification plant operated at the construction site.
1960: A gas plant explosion killed four workers, leading to the facility's demolition.
2018: Previous apartment buildings at the location were demolished.
Sept. 8, 2026: The city issued a building permit and construction officially began.
Early 2028: The new apartment complex is slated to open to residents.

Market Landscape

The development follows the financial model established by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to subsidize construction costs. This move aligns with regional efforts to use public-private partnerships to increase housing supply in rapidly gentrifying urban centers.

The project will bring 262 units to downtown Fargo with rents capped at 60% of the area median income, offering a potential increase in affordable inventory for renters. Prospective residents can expect units to become available for move-in by early 2028.

The takeaway

The development demonstrates how historic industrial sites can be repurposed for modern housing needs through state-level subsidies. Residents should monitor the project for potential job opportunities or eventual leasing information as the 2028 opening date approaches.