Lakewood's Applewood neighborhood just landed a new heavyweight landlord. TruAmerica Multifamily has acquired WestLink at Oak Station, a 244-unit garden-style apartment community, and is wasting no time plotting a full-scale interior refresh for every unit. The complex sits within walking distance of RTD's Oak Station stop on the W Line, a major perk for renters who commute into Denver and prefer trains to traffic. The new owner says the upgrade push will zero in on bathrooms, lighting and smart thermostats to modernize interiors and sharpen the overall resident experience.
Deal details and who brokered the sale
In a press release via Yield Pro, TruAmerica said CBRE's Denver multifamily team, led by brokers Shane Ozment and Terrance Hunt, facilitated the transaction, while CBRE's Debt & Structured Finance group arranged the acquisition financing. The company said the purchase bumps its Colorado footprint to more than 4,200 units across 15 properties. Chief Investment Officer Noah Hochman called WestLink at Oak Station an example of "the type of opportunity we seek," underscoring the firm's appetite for relatively new, transit-friendly properties it can still put its stamp on.
Property profile and location
According to Apartments.com, WestLink at Oak Station was built in 2015 and offers one-, two- and three-bedroom homes that average about 955 square feet. Interiors feature granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and in-unit washers and dryers. Community amenities listed include a resort-style pool and hot tub, fitness center, clubhouse, business center, BBQ and picnic areas and a dog park, rounding out the suburban convenience package.
The WestLink at Oak Station site highlights the property's location just steps from RTD's Oak Station light-rail stop on the W Line, reinforcing its transit-oriented appeal for tenants who want a straight shot into downtown Denver without getting on the highway.
What TruAmerica plans to change
Per the company release, TruAmerica plans to "execute a targeted interior renovation program across all 244 units." The work will concentrate on comprehensive bathroom renovations, upgrades to lighting and plumbing fixtures and the addition of smart thermostats. Executives cast the project as an operational lift designed to keep WestLink at Oak Station competitive with new construction in the area while still aiming to maintain attainability for local renters. The buyer said improvements will be rolled out in phases as units turn over, so changes will arrive building by building rather than all at once.
Background and local market context
Records show the community was first acquired in 2016 by Inland Real Estate shortly after it opened, providing a recent institutional ownership history for the asset, according to an Inland announcement. That kind of handoff, with newer, transit-adjacent properties trading from one institutional owner to another, tracks with broader investor interest in Denver-area suburbs that show steady renter demand. Local tenants at WestLink can expect staged renovations and periodic leasing updates as TruAmerica implements its value-add program and looks to position the property firmly in the competitive Lakewood rental lineup.
