If you’ve ever browsed the Calhoun Lofts website to see what’s on tap for the University of Houston’s newest residential housing facility, you may feel impressed. The pictures are alluring. The descriptive words are enticing. But when you go a step beyond, and actually see the model rooms for yourself, you may walk away with an entirely different perspective. Standing inside an actual room offers a stark contrast to the computer-generated graphics that site visitors will see online.
During a recent tour of several model rooms, visitors enjoyed a preview of what’s in store for students who actually sign a lease with the property. Units available include the efficiency, one or two bedroom. Students are offered a choice of either furnished or unfurnished. Furnished apartments are only twenty-dollars more per month.
Although completion of the facility won’t occur until this July, now is the time for prospective tenants to explore what’s being offered. According to Teeba Rose, marketing manager for Residential Life and Housing, so far efficiencies and one-bedroom units have been leased the most. As far as furnished versus unfurnished, it appears to be running fifty-fifty. All the apartments feature a modern kitchen with granite counter tops, wooden cabinets and black General Electric appliances including electric stove, refrigerator and a microwave oven. Dishwashers are available only in the two-bedroom units. The thermostat may be controlled either on-line or directly from the unit. Bedroom closets are outfitted with full length mirrors. And some of the rooms have floor to ceiling windows which may allow views of downtown, the Galleria area or the south side of town. Ten thousand square feet of retail space, located on the first floor, will include a Barnes and Noble bookstore, and a Mini Mart managed by Aramark. The retail space is located in the south courtyard and will be open to the public.
The facility, which ranges from seven to ten floors, offers an abundance of amenities. The first floor offers a shared common area complete with a “special events” lounge that has a showcase kitchen
and dining area. There are fitness centeres, a cyber lounge and multi-purpose areas. Residents can enjoy laundry rooms and exercise rooms on every other floor. Wi-Fi is available inside and outside
Calhoun Lofts. The top floor includes a 30-seat theater. Cooking and dance classes will be offered to residents.
The south courtyard will be open to the public; however, the north courtyard is accessible only by residents. The East Parking Garage, currently under construction, will serve parking needs for Calhoun Lofts, Bauer College students, and others who may choose to park in that area. Calhoun Lofts residents will be issued a unique multi-pass that enables them to park in the garage. Security-wise, residents have the benefit of security cameras, special card access, and their own emergency command center located on the ground floor. Rose said “a security guard will be on staff during a portion of the day. And designated employees living on the premises will act as eyes and ears in terms of security.”
In terms of signing incentives, Rose said, “the first five hundred residents will receive free laundry services for the first year. And the first four hundred will get a coupon book that has a five hundred dollar value.”
Interested graduate and professional students are encouraged to contact the Calhoun Lofts leasing office which is currently located on Calhoun Road in the Welcome Center next to Sonic. For more info on tours, rates, or leasing opportunities, visit http://www.housing.uh.edu/calhounlofts/. Refer to the Property Services website for info on retail leasing at http://www.uh.edu/propertyservices.