Trustees approve designs of new apartments, residence hall

The designs for a new student residence hall and a new apartment complex were approved by the IU Board of Trustees at a regular business meeting last week at the IU-South Bend campus.

“Residence halls provide undergraduates with opportunities to make connections, learn responsibility and become part of a dynamic academic community,” said Executive Vice President and IU Provost Karen Hanson in a press release.
“University apartments help students sustain their involvement with the life of the campus. These exciting new projects feature innovative design concepts that will both appeal to students and help them become engaged and successful.”

The 450-bed residence hall will be built at the northwest corner of Rose and Jones avenues and will consist of four-story buildings with a mix of room types, including double-occupancy rooms and semi-suite rooms.

The four-level apartment building will be built on the north side of Third Street between Union Street and Rose Avenue.

It will include approximately 106 units, including studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments.

According to the press release, the projects will have limestone exteriors and will incorporate energy conservation, waste recycling and other sustainable features.

Both facilities will include common areas, student lounges, classrooms, computer labs and music practice rooms.

The residence hall is expected to cost $38 million and will be funded by auxiliary revenue bonds, repaid through Residential Programs and Services revenue. The apartment building will cost $16 million and will be funded by RPS reserve funds.

Construction of the buildings will begin later this year. The apartments are expected to open in the fall of 2012 and the residence hall is expected to open in the fall of 2013.

— Jake New