The new luxury apartment building next to CVS, named the Atwood, will be operated by the University of New Haven, as confirmed by Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Rebecca Johnson.

The complex has been under construction for approximately one year, with questions looming about what its relationship to the University would be. According to Nicole McGrath, Associate Dean of Residential Life and Housing, the Atwood will be part of the University housing system. Facilities will be maintaining the space, there will be on-sight security coordinated by campus police and one supervisor provided by the Office of Residential Life, according to Johnson.

“We anticipate coordinating a community that is a little bit more independent, to give students who are rising juniors and rising seniors that feel of living off campus and building that independence before you graduate,” McGrath said.

McGrath said that there is no anticipation of having resident assistants in the building, outlining the similarities to current off campus housing like Forest Hills or Main Street Apartments, but also the differences. There will be some support from university services, but not the full amount, she said.

The Atwood will serve as a combination of graduate and undergraduate housing, with approximately 50 percent of the graduate portion of the building being filled already. Out of 101 beds in the Atwood, 78 are graduate.

Differences in the traditional system, explained by Landmark Air will also include no break closures or applications to stay during university closures. Right now, students in University housing must leave their rooms for summer, winter, spring, or Thanksgiving break or apply to stay there for the duration. At the Atwood, rooms will be open year-round without added expenses.

The Atwood will also be different than the standard housing lottery system, and it’s a different housing application and lease, according to McGrath. Graduate students will be billed monthly for living expenses and rent, while undergraduate students will be paying through their billing account with the university, as other residential students do.

As for the cost, any room in the Atwood would cost more than a room on campus or in off-campus University housing. A standard room on campus would be $9760 per year, while a Celentano single bedroom would be $11,570 per year, according to the room selection website. A two-bedroom apartment in the Atwood would cost $13,200 per year for undergraduates, while a one bedroom would cost $18,000 per year and a studio apartment would cost $15,600 per year, according to a guide provided by McGrath. Undergraduates are only eligible for two-bedroom apartments.

Most rooms are four person occupancies, with some three persons as well. Each apartment is allotted one parking space, although the University is looking at expanding the parking area to additional space behind the Atwood, connecting it with Charger Plaza, according to Johnson. The rooms are fully furnished with utilities, cable, internet, and air conditioning. The apartments also each have their own washer and dryer and the facility has its own fitness room and a lounge.

The retail space that was said to be taking over the first floor of the building is still under consideration. Students in a hospitality Capstone class conducted a survey seeing which retailers students would like to see in the building. Johnson said that the majority of responses suggested a bookstore/coffee shop like Atticus in New Haven.

“The University is very interested in seeing there be some retail space that is student-focused,” Johnson said.

Because of the infancy of the program, Johnson said it may not be 100 percent filled, but there won’t be people from outside the University community.

“We’re hoping that those students who have chosen to live off campus will see this as a nice alternative,” Johnson said. She added that the independent living part of the Atwood is something students have been looking for, and this is a chance for them to have it and still be part of campus.

Students wishing to get more information should email [email protected]. The official opening date is set for August 1.