Emory & Henry College to Break Ground on New Housing
With a record-breaking enrollment year and sustained interest in Emory & Henry College by prospective students due to many new initiatives, members of the Board of Trustees have approved plans for a new upperclass student housing unit.
The apartment-style building will be constructed on the northwest side of College Drive across from the College’s Lynch Links golf course, on a 10-acre property owned by the College. Occupancy is expected in the fall 2023 semester with construction commencing in late spring 2022.
“The continued growth at Emory & Henry presents a good challenge of reviewing our housing inventory and planning for the future needs of our students,” said President John W. Wells. “Adding modern apartments will compliment our current apartment-style living in Emory and will offer a more independent living lifestyle to our students. In addition, we anticipate the units will give us flexibility to focus on renovating or repurposing some of our older housing options.”
The apartment building will be three stories and house 144 beds in 36 apartments. A walking and bike greenway trail will be designed for easy access to campus, lined with trees, landscaping and lights.
“This development will offer lifestyle living for upperclass students in a serene and beautiful setting,” offered Bill Prince, CEO of BurWil Construction in Bristol, Tennessee, which is helping design and build the units. “In addition to the greenway access to campus, students will have an outdoor gathering space. It will be a very inviting environment to live in.”
The new apartments with two handicap-accessible units will each be 1,200 square feet and feature two bedrooms, two baths and walk-in closets; an open kitchen plan with all modern appliances; dining and living space; pantry and laundry; and a private balcony or patio. Ample parking will be included in the project.
As housing needs grow, plans call for additional units, a clubhouse and an outdoor pool, which mimics what graduates would find in more contemporary housing complexes. The units will be accessed from College Drive for pedestrians and Hillman Highway for vehicular traffic.
Open gallery
Adding modern apartments will compliment our current apartment-style living in Emory and will offer a more independent living lifestyle to our students. In addition, we anticipate the units will give us flexibility to focus on renovating or repurposing some of our older housing options.—President John W. Wells