Nation's Largest Privately-funded Student Housing Complex Opens
October 23, 2007
University Commons, the largest privately-funded university housing development in the United
States, officially opened at Georgia State University in Atlanta this semester. Developed by
Ambling University Development Group in partnership with the Georgia State Foundation Inc., the
nearly 750,000 square-foot student housing project is now the on-campus home to 2,000
students.
University Commons is a product of Georgia State's 2005 Strategic Plan, addressing the goal
to increase the quality of space and accommodate a growing and diverse student body, which now tops
50,000. The $168 million project was funded by the largest bond issued in the United States
for student housing.
"Ambling was instrumental in helping us finish the University Commons project early and under
budget, and we look forward to partnering with them on future projects," said Carl Patton,
president of Georgia State University.
Upon completion of the development, Charles Perry, president of AUDG, handed more than just a
set of keys to the building to Dr. Patton – he also presented him with a check for $110,000.
The money will endow a scholarship for students living at University Commons, who are majoring in
real estate development, urban policy, or finance.
"We have a responsibility to the University to build the highest quality facility which will
serve their long-term needs," remarked Perry. "We also want to be a positive steward of the
resources entrusted to us. We were honored to be chosen by Georgia State to partner with them
on this project and we feel that this endowment will help to ensure that the residents of
University Commons have the resources they need to become future leaders in our field."
The student housing complex is set on 4.2-acres in densely populated downtown Atlanta,
transforming the urban area into a living-learning community for its student tenants. The
development's four mid-rise buildings, ranging from eight to 15 stories, offer students private,
single bedrooms in two or four bedroom units. Although designed to house primarily first year
students, the units also have designated space for upper-class scholars.
"University Commons was designed to help develop a more vibrant on-campus community,
highlighting the University's gradual shift from being a commuter campus," said Paul Morgan, vice
president of project management for Ambling University Development Group. "The University selected
our team for this project based on our proven track record of developing high-quality, on-campus
housing throughout the state, including on the campuses of the University of Georgia and Valdosta
State University."
University Commons, which opened its doors to student residents on August 10, was designed to
create a multifunctional environment that satisfies constantly evolving student needs.
"Ambling University Development Group is proud of its reputation for completing developments
that serve the needs of the campus environment and the students that will call the community their
home," said Charles Perry, president of Ambling University Development Group. "Due to the housing
crunch created by the immense population of the city of Atlanta, the June 2007 deadline drove our
efforts to provide 2,000 students with a place to live when school started this fall."
While the development team has experience with large student housing projects of 1,000 to
1,500 beds, University Commons presented a unique challenge with a total of 2,000 beds. In
addition, the plan called for a centrally located 800-car parking garage and more than 20,000
square feet of retail space in the midst of a bustling, urban environment.
The project's architecture firm, Atlanta-based Niles Bolton Associates, turned to innovation
to overcome the development's challenges, building the parking deck below ground and a green roof
on top of the deck to create a courtyard in the middle of the complex. The green roof is just one
of many environmentally-friendly elements incorporated into the complex, all of which meet Georgia
State's requirements for sustainable, energy-efficient facilities.
In addition to its low-impact on the environment, the development affords the comforts of
modern-day living. Each unit includes furnished bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens and living
area spaces, while every floor offers a community lounge space and laundry facility. Students
can enjoy wireless Internet access and multipurpose conference rooms in designated spaces
throughout each building.
University Commons will serve other functions as well. The property is the site of the
Georgia State University Health Clinic, a U.S. mail distribution center and various retail food
outlets.
ABOUT AMBLING UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Composed of experts in the fields of financing, construction and development of both on- and
off-campus communities, the University Development Group is committed to helping universities
succeed in their development goals and objectives. AUDG is an affiliate of Ambling Companies, Inc.,
a fully integrated organization providing high quality housing solutions for a variety of niche
markets. Other Ambling Companies subsidiaries include: Ambling Development Partners, Ambling
Management Company, Ambling Property Investments, Ambling Construction Company, and Ambling Land
& Resort.