With over 600 student housing complexes, retail components and state of the art amenities, the development of College View is underway.
Located in the area formally known as Aiken Village, on the North side of the university, College View is looking to attract upper-class undergraduate students at MSU.
“We don’t have any apartment-style housing in our current inventory, so having the opportunity to still be in university housing with its close proximity to classes and athletic venues should be really attractive to our upper division students,” said Regina Hyatt, vice president for Student Affairs.
College View will offer a large grassy area with a pavilion and amphitheater in between the complexes and retail. These added elements will help attract concerts, festivals and tailgating.
“I’m looking forward to living in the newly-constructed apartments and enjoying all of the amenities they offer,” MSU sophomore Malikah Hasan said.
As a result of College View’s affiliation with MSU, campus police will provide services on site, in addition to other safety and security measures, such as electronic access control and cameras. Staff from MSU will also be on site at all times.
Understanding the diversity of freshman and upper-class undergraduate students, David Shaw, vice president for Research and Economic Development, believes College View will benefit older students who are interested in the convenience of living on campus and access to apartment style residences.
“We wanted to take a different approach that was more of an apartment style rather than the style of residence halls,” Shaw said.
College View is the first project of its kind in Mississippi.
“We did a lot of homework and looked at other universities nationally to develop something that was the most economical and made sense,” Shaw said.
As the first in the state to establish a project like College View, MSU has worked closely with EdR, a private collegiate housing developer out of Memphis.
“We’re excited about doing this first,” Shaw said.
To establish a greater understanding of students’ wants and needs, Shaw said the university “did a lot of listening.” College View developers and MSU officials conducted interviews and surveys to better understand the expectations. A clubhouse was created with students’ needs in mind, and will include a computer lab, a workout facility, a gaming area and a pool. There is also recruiting of retail stores and restaurants taking place.
“College View’s location and space for entertainment was created to provide a thoughtful and seamless transition to Starkville and the university,” Shaw said.
Julie Bartholomew, MSU alumna and owner of Inter-Logic Design, LLC, out of Memphis, contracted with EdR as the interior designer for College View.
“Things are progressing, and I’m incredibly honored to do work at my alma matter,” Bartholomew said.
With a modern, but homey design in mind, Bartholomew said the apartments are “high-end” and will incorporate granite counter tops, state-of-the-art appliances and Tempur-Pedic mattresses. She also mentioned the apartments will be pet-friendly and have their own closet and bathroom.
“I am actually considering College View as a possible residence,” Hasan said. “I’ve had the chance to look at the floor plans and amenities, and I think it would be a great place to live.”
College View developers said they are looking forward to its opening in the fall of 2019.