Five luxury student apartment complexes will open around the Syracuse University campus by next fall.

The complexes, some being new and others featuring additions, will provide housing to about 500 students, according to a University Hill Corporation press release. There are currently about 9,000 Syracuse University students that live off campus, said Elin Riggs, director of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at SU, in an email. Changes were made to the housing process last semester to accommodate students fulfilling their two-year on-campus living requirement.

“Developers see the opportunity to capitalize on so many students living off campus,” said Elin Riggs, director of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at SU, in an email.

“Students expect certain amenities and there is a market (for luxury off campus housing). While loans and cost are an issue, students want to be in close proximity to campus and some will pay for that privilege.”

The University Area Apartments, located at 614 South Crouse Ave., will be furnished with brand new appliances and amenities, which will help attract students to the new complexes, said Robert Frank, manager of the University Area complex. There are more amenities than other off-campus housing options at University Area, he added.

The new complex will be able to accommodate up to 200 students, according to a press release. All apartments are furnished with a full kitchen and a new washer and dryer. The apartments will have Internet access and thermostats in each room, Frank said.

The building will also have a restaurant on the first floor that “will cater to people in the building and others with an eat-in and take-out combination,” Frank said.

Skyler Commons, located on 908 Harrison St., will have 80 one-person studio apartments and will be completed this month, according to a release.

While the rent prices are higher than what most students will pay for off-campus housing, Tom Fernandez, director of business development of the Woodbine Group, said people are looking for single apartments and Skyler Commons offers that, and the apartments are “all inclusive.” That means they include furniture, a TV, Internet, washer and dryer, utilities and access to amenities at other Woodbine Group locations.

In addition, the complex will offer a shuttle to campus running every half hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The shuttle service will also make a stop to Target and Wegmans once a week, Fernandez said.

“Especially with the winters, students don’t have to worry about having a car on campus or about parking,” Fernandez said.

The Woodbine Group is opening a second location on 1027 E. Genesee St. The renovated Ronald McDonald House will be a shared living facility that will house 17 students with shared common spaces and kitchens, according to the release.

A fourth, new off campus student housing complex will be located on 404 University Ave. #BLVD404 will have 54 apartments for 163 students in a combination of two, three and four bedroom apartments. The building will offer an on-site fitness center, student lounge and conference room, according to the release.

Fayette Place is the fifth new luxury apartment complex and is geared toward graduate and medical students and young professionals. Located on 712-714 E. Fayette St., the apartments will not provide furniture but will offer high-definition cable TV, Wi-Fi and other utilities, excluding electric, according to the release. Fayette Place is scheduled to open in March 2016, according to the release.

Published on September 8, 2015 at 10:48 pm

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