Photo by: Justin Edmonds
Early in September the University Lofts, not a DU affiliate, located on the corner of University and Evans began leasing apartments units for the 2007-2008 school year. Though these brand new lofts have been open for over one month they are still at only at about 20 percent capacity, according to representatives of the University Lofts.
“The units are already furnished and range in price from $999 to $1,529 per month per bedroom which includes utilities, cable TV, and high speed Internet,” said Laura Holst, a representative of University Lofts management. “Currently we have a special promotion of one month free rent with a 12 month lease.”
All units contain a full kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Available units include studios, two-bedroom units, four-bedroom units, and four-bedroom lofts.
Each bedroom has an individual lease in order to provide the maximum flexibility for students along with having the option of choosing one’s own roommates, or use of the roommate matching service provided by University Lofts in order to match tenants with similar interests.
Perks include underground parking, coin operated laundry facilities located on the second floor and first floor retailers such as Jamba Juice, TCF Bank, and Jordan’s Bistro & Pub, all of which are expected to open later in the month.
“It’s nice being so close to campus,” said Alec Ropes, DU senior. “There’s good security, everything is new and clean, there are great people and good times.”
Currently, all but two of the current University Lofts tenants are leased to DU students.
Amy Smith, of Conam Management, rents University Lofts, and said, “the development has offered an option to the university to utilize empty units for transfer students who could not get on-campus housing. “It’s another way we’ve partnered with DU,” she said.
Vistaloft will be another option for DU students beginning in the fall 2008 quarter. Located at 1920 South University Boulevard, this property will offer between two and four bedrooms and baths per unit and between 733 and 1,245 square feet.
Campus Living Villages, a student housing company, is marketing and managing the $32 million property, which is currently under construction. David Timmerman, Assistant Vice President of Operations, said the target market for the loft-style rental units will be DU juniors, seniors and graduate students.
The company will highlight the private bedrooms and bathrooms in most units, which Timmerman believes appeals to students.
He said the property “provides awesome community and gathering space.” Communal terraces on the eighth and ninth floors of the 11-floor building and an indoor clubhouse will be amenities available for use by all residents.
Rental rates have not yet been set for Vistaloft, but they will be very competitive in the DU housing market, Timmerman said.
Students, faculty, and local residents also have options to purchase new residences near DU. These non-student specific developments have price tags ranging from around $200,000 to more than a million.
Observatory Place, located at 2200 University Boulevard, was one of the first of these high-end condominium communities.
A spokesperson for The Realty Corporation, the agency that marketed and sold units at Observatory Place, said the five-floor building is completely sold out. The 75 luxury lofts sold quickly despite market conditions, she said.
The Realty Corporation sold the residences at a price range from $197,500 to $621,000 with between 966 and 2,171 square feet. The units offered either one or two bedrooms, a study, and between one and two and one half baths.
For more information on the University Lofts visit www.universityloftsatdu.com or call 303.503.6610.
