It’s not a dorm, but it’s not quite an apartment. The minds behind Atlanta-based Place Properties have come up with the concept of an off-campus housing facility they say is designed to fit MSU students’ needs.
Construction will begin this summer on a 500-bed apartment complex called Lakeside Place near the northwest intersection of Miss. Highway 12 and the Miss. Highway 25 Bypass.
Developers hope the $20 million project will be completed by fall 2006.
Lakeside Place was the last rental property to be passed before Starkville aldermen approved a moratorium on rental properties nearly two months ago.
“[Lakeside Place] was the last to be passed right before the moratorium,” said David Thornell, president and CEO of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. “What made a difference is that everything was planned out so well.”
Though it is an apartment-style rental property, the concept is built around a sense of community. Residents will have access to community-oriented amenities including a game room, a fitness center, swimming pool, sand volleyball court, computer lab and meeting rooms.
The company has similar facilities on and near college campuses across the nation.
“Our apartments are designed to compliment students’ lifestyles regardless of if they are looking for a place to have fun or a quiet space with high-tech amenities to study,” said Jessica Harrison, director of public relations for Place Properties.
The new facility will be exclusive to students and will have card-swipe access into the apartments and key locks on individual bedrooms.
Apartments will include furniture and amenities such as full-sized kitchens with appliances and high-speed Internet, cable and telephone access within the individual bedrooms.
Harrison said that the price will be comparable to other recently built communities in the area, and rent will include all utilities.
“We anticipate that the students will discuss their housing decisions with their parents,” Harrison said. “Educating current and incoming students about Lakeside Place is our first step and then we will market strategically to reach the parents through advertising, direct mail and e-mail.”
Some may be concerned that Lakeside Place may be competition for the new residence halls being built on campus, but university officials have said they do not see it that way.
“We are not in competition,” said Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs. “We both concluded that we aren’t competing with each other.”
Kibler said the university is not concerned because of the targeted residents.
“Housing on campus is primary targeted toward freshmen and sophomores, and we do know that juniors and seniors typically move off campus,” Kibler said. “[Lakeside Place] is a facility more conducive to upperclassmen.”
Kibler said he thinks that even though there are many apartments in Starkville, Lakeside Place will probably do well.
“There’s not another facility like them in town,” Kibler said. “It’ll be new and unique, and it’s always good if it means it can provide another alternative for students.”
“We are really excited to join the Starkville community and to support Mississippi State University,” Harrison said. “Lakeside Place will be uniquely designed and developed. We hope will impress even those just passing by.”