Indiana University’s Board of Trustees approved designs for new Bloomington student housing at the Poplars Building site Nov. 10.
The six-story building on Seventh Street will have 158 units with about 396 beds, according to a university release, and the project is slated to finish in March 2026.
In September, the Board of Trustees approved the project’s $81 million budget and its mission of prioritizing renting to graduate students. Following graduate students, faculty, staff, employees, undergraduate students, and affiliates such as visiting scholars will be eligible.
“The units will range from studio to four bedrooms and will include one-to-one bedroom-to-bathroom parity,” the release said. “Residential units will be located on all floors. The ground floor will also include a lobby off the main entrance courtyard, a leasing and management office area, and interior amenity space for study, collaboration and multipurpose use.”
Read more: Grad students say new Bloomington housing too expensive, not enough units
Torti Gallas + Partners, based in Washington D.C., designed the building.
IU’s Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities Thomas Morrison told the board in September the creation of more housing will address a housing need for graduate students.
“Affordable housing in Bloomington is a challenge, regardless however you define affordability,” Morrison said. "But it's also not only unique to graduate students. It is certainly true for faculty and staff as well."
Estimated costs range from $1,315 to $1,834 per month based on the number of bedrooms, according to materials presented to the board. More updates may be provided in December, Morrison said.
The new project will add to IU’s 1,488 existing beds for graduate students. Since 2020, the university has demolished buildings with 655 beds.
Read more: ‘More say, more pay’: IU grad workers begin union recognition and living wage campaign
The new housing will include “ four-story elements fronting Seventh Street that provide a setback to the upper floors,” the release said. A central courtyard will be the main building entrance.
Aside from the first floor, the building will have a red brick exterior to match other university and Bloomington buildings. The first floor and base of the building will have “taller floors and window openings,” according to the release.
Aubrey is our higher education reporter and a Report For America corps member. Contact her at aubmwrig@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @aubreymwright.
