Every so often a project comes along that creates a special buzz around it. When we were named the architect of record for the LightView Apartments student housing project at Northeastern University, we heard it loud and clear. Working with the University, American Campus Communities, and The Copley Wolff Design Group, we were able to seamlessly connect LightView to the existing urban campus that has been a fixture in the city of Boston, Massachusetts since 1898.

The 314,000 SF building, opened in September 2019 and now completely occupied by students, boasts commercial space and student related community amenities and services at the ground floor, 214 modern student apartments (824 beds) housed in an assemblage of components: a low-rise portion of nine stories on Columbus Avenue, a mid-rise portion of 17 stories on Coventry Street, and a high-rise portion of 22 stories in the middle of the block, on Burke Street.

Situated in the heart of Boston, the building design approach required sensitivity to the existing historical scale of Columbus Avenue. Surrounding buildings typically range from 3 to 6 floors; so inserting a 824-bed, 253′ high rise building required a unique approach, including material changes, window patterning, and the glass pedestrian bridge that connects the buildings, but provides a clear visual separation between the volumes.

The building also steps back on Tremont, creating a layered system of building masses that does not overwhelm the 3, 4 and 5 floor building pattern along the street.  The design, development and University teams worked closely with the BPDA and the neighborhood to ensure that the building would integrate cleanly into the community and provide student-housing options that would positively impact the neighborhood.

Contributing to this strategy of active pedestrian edge, the building entry was pushed back from the street face, creating an engaging outdoor forecourt at the street that was paired with a retail tenant are the front edge of the building, connecting directly to the street edge.  This innovative approach allowed a very narrow lot to contribute strongly to the sense of life and activity on Columbus Ave.

The property, conveniently located 400ft from Ruggles Station (Boston MBTA), features an advanced student security system, leasing office, modern fitness center, inviting café / lounge space, retail tenants, a large academic success center to accommodate quiet study spaces, laundry facilities large enough to support all residents, and both in-unit and general bike storage, including a maintenance shop for quick or complicated repairs. The buildings are LEED Gold with anticipation of achieving LEED Platinum status.

The building amenities and units were carefully designed to provide students with a healthy, interactive and exciting living environment that supports both academic growth, and contributes to their well-being and sense of place on campus.  This is their home, and their neighborhood.  Laundry and study facilities are integrated with recreation areas, casual lounges and access to fitness, music and a rich variety of social spaces.

LightView Apartments has truly enhanced this urban campus community, and we look forward to our continued involvement with Northeastern University.

Visit the project page for more details »

Developer: American Campus Communities

Property Website: LightView 

The Lightview C3 Project Team:
Nik Middleton, Partner
Brian O’Connor, Partner
Aaron Bancroft, Senior Associate Principal
Jim Spiegel, Senior Project Manager
Steve Prestejohn, Design Coordinator
Nathan Klein, Design Coordinator
Luke Beck, Senior Job Captain
Tom Lasey, Job Captain
Nicole Zizzi, Intern, Northeastern University Student
+ All other contributors

CUBE 3: Maximizing Space Requires Creative Thinking

Read the full article on StudentHousingBusiness.com »

Click below to watch the video:

Nik Middleton, founding and senior partner / CEO of CUBE 3, knows it’s important to do more with less when it comes to today’s student housing. That’s because proximity to campus has become more important than ever.

Middleton has seen the industry evolve, with residents placing a premium on assets closer to campus. This has caused investor interest to shift from suburban sites a few miles from campus to urban, high-rise settings within mere yards of a university.

Building upward has placed constraints on spaces, meaning developers have to maximize every square foot. This includes social spaces, which have become more essential than ever. Remaining flexible and creative are the keys to success in the current market, Middleton asserts. This has led to some reinvention within the industry, as it has become clear no one size or formula is effective for every community or project.

We couldn’t have done it without working so closely with our partners on this project; Campus Apartments and Collegiate Development Group. What does it mean to be best? For us it means being part of a team that relentlessly strives to produce the most thoughtful work possible, listening to our client and delivering on their dream, and being grateful when being recognized for the work we live to do every day.

Located in the heart of the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, TN, the eight story mid-rise features 600 student beds and a seven story parking garage (consisting of 360 spaces) within the project’s overall 280,000 sf. TENN includes 10,000 sf of active retail space in addition to over 20,000 sf of student-oriented amenities such as a three-story atrium, two-story fitness center, computer lab, expansive common lounges, active courtyards, and an outdoor pool.

It’s quite a sight to see: https://www.tennstudentliving.com/

The renovation of the amenities here resulted in a space that brings the building community together in sun soaked gathering spaces with ample views to the neighborhood and exterior community courtyard.  Gaming, lounge, study and technology all come together in this open concept amenity that is flexible enough to accommodate an individual experience or an entire community gathering.  Clocks display times from across the globe, connecting this heavily international population to home in the smallest of ways. The new student-oriented community kitchen and dining room has enough space for multiple groups to gather independently or to come together and share experiences and life stories over a meal, just like home.

The development consists of over 225,000 sf and features 850 beds with a modern, contemporary design that won’t be going out of style anytime soon. Residents have several room options whether they prefer having a studio to themselves or sharing a suite with their peers. What was once a lacking student living space has become a vibrant and cultural community with an award winning res-life program tailor-made to meet each student’s needs, fulfilling CLV’s vision and creating a once in a lifetime experience for its residents.

To learn more about The Edge Student Village and to view additional photos, click here.