Buena Vista University to Build New Apartment-Style Housing; Additional Campus Upgrades to Come
The new apartment complex will have 185 beds and is expected to open Fall 2025.
Buena Vista University is moving forward with the first in a series of campus upgrades set to transform the residential student experience.
At its February meeting, the BVU Board of Trustees approved construction of a new 185-bed, apartment-style complex. The new apartments will set a precedence for future BVU housing, all while providing amenities and spaces to better support student needs.
“The Board of Trustees is excited to support construction of the new apartment building, a residential living space that will give our students great opportunities to fine tune their learning and living skills in an environment specifically designed to aid in their transition into life after college,” stated Michael K. Pierce, Chairperson of the BVU Board of Trustees.
With the last major residential renovation taking place just over a decade ago in Pierce and White residence halls, the new site will give BVU premier housing options for undergraduate students throughout Iowa.
“We have focused greatly on how this new space will best serve our students and their evolving needs,” said President Brian Lenzmeier. “With this new residence hall, BVU will not only offer some of the best housing among Iowa private colleges, we will be competitive nationally.”
The new four-story apartment building will offer three different fully furnished room styles, including studio options, with all units having individual temperature-controls, kitchenettes, private bedrooms, and private bathrooms.
“The new apartment project is modeled recognizing the varying needs of today’s student,” said Dr. Heather Black, Vice President for Student Success. “Spaces are set up to meet common needs identified through our housing accommodation process, which includes providing a private room and bathroom for each student.”
Amenity spaces will include open and private social lounges, study spaces, meeting rooms, laundry facilities, an outdoor courtyard, and a workout center. All this with an emphasis on the student experience.
"The new apartment-style residence halls are an exciting response to recent student requests for more functional and modern living spaces,” noted Student Senate President Brayden Bergum, a senior. “Students were grateful to be included in the decision-making process and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities this project will bring to future BVU classes.”
Construction work is set to begin on campus this summer starting with the demolition of McCorkle Hall and Smith Hall, giving way for the new apartments and new green space, respectively. The new apartment complex is slated to open Fall 2025 and is part of a ten-year strategic vision which includes this additional housing complex, facility upgrades in BVU Athletics, and continuous campus improvements.
“Apartment-style housing is an excellent way to follow through on my presidential priorities involving quality outcomes and experiences for our students and creating an organizational culture that focuses on continued improvement and innovation,” said Lenzmeier. “There is so much to look forward to as we build. This is such an exciting time to be a Beaver.”
For more information on BVU’s new apartments, including additional renderings, go to bvu.edu/new-hall.