Durham, N.H. – Construction on an 86,000-square-foot private student housing project designed by DeStefano Architects is underway and scheduled to open in fall 2015.
The 197-bed project in downtown Durham is a short walk to the University of New Hampshire and is a partnership between DeStefano Architects and Orion Student Housing. DeStefano says students who are not living in dorms are often forced to live in surrounding towns and commute to classes because of the lack of available off-campus housing.
DeStefano Architects Director of Operations Adam Wagner, with 15 years of experience in the student housing market, spearheaded the project. He says the planning process in Durham took two years, receiving unanimous approval from all the local land use boards. “The greatest challenge of this project was incorporating the amenities that today’s students are looking for within a historic New England village,” Wagner says. “The result is a project that complements traditional architectural style, yet offers the latest in student housing trends and advanced technology integration.”
There are six buildings on the site, located directly on Main Street. Durham, New Hampshire Police Chief Dave Kurz says the location should ensure students remain concentrated safely near night life and in an area that won’t disturb residents.
Orion says their leasing company began hearing from students interested in renting the units before construction started and they pre-leased the entire facility for the fall 2015 Semester in less than 36 hours.