KALAMAZOO, Mich.—During its April 24 meeting, the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approved Arcadia Flats as the name of the University's newest housing facility, which is under construction in the South Neighborhood.
Overlooking Arcadia Creek, Arcadia Flats is the first project underway as part of WMU's South Neighborhood transformation.
Artist's rendering of Arcadia Flats
"The name Arcadia Flats will connect the housing location with the surrounding landscape and foster a sense of place on campus and within the community," says Janice Quakenbush, director of finance and infrastructure in the Division of Student Affairs.
She says the name is reflective of the unique architecture, style and layout of the new units, differentiating Arcadia Flats from other WMU housing options.
Scheduled to open for the fall 2020 semester, Arcadia Flats is designed to be an innovative housing concept that offers multiple living options to meet the diverse needs of WMU students.
"Offering a mix of living options, Arcadia Flats will provide a space where students can live, learn, eat and sleep in a convenient location near the academic core of campus," says Dr. Diane K. Anderson, vice president for student affairs.
The new apartment-style units are geared toward upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, with a combination of private and community spaces that are designed to contribute to a unique student lifestyle.
The primary unit layout in Arcadia Flats consists of efficient living units with long, rectangular floor plans on a single level. All units have a kitchen, bathroom and living area and can be studio or two-bedroom layouts. Two-bedroom units house two or four occupants per unit. There are also six loft style units, with a second level lofted bedroom.
Additional details about WMU's evolving housing and dining environments are available on the Student Life website.
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