RUTLAND—Castleton University, in a continuing partnership with MKF Properties and Mark Foley, Jr., will expand its housing options in downtown Rutland to include apartments in the Gryphon Building at the corner of West Street and Merchants Row. The second floor of the building will be renovated to create ten energy-efficient apartments with a capacity for 32 students. The design and concept of the new apartments complements Castleton’s Foley Hall, which opened last fall across the street from the Gryphon Building and currently houses 39 upper-level undergraduate and graduate students.
“We’re thrilled to offer our students more opportunities to live, learn, and work in downtown Rutland,” said Castleton President Dave Wolk. “Foley Hall has been a success in every way. We are able to provide our students with Vermont’s version of an urban living experience, we are able to better connect our students with downtown internship and job opportunities, and our students can enjoy apartment style living without being disconnected from the university. It is an excellent bridge from the quintessential on-campus experience we provide in Castleton to what lies ahead for our students as they transition to the workforce.”
The new student housing is the latest in the university’s ongoing expansion into Rutland, which already hosts Castleton Downtown, the Castleton Polling Institute, the Castleton Center for Community Engagement, Spartan Arena at Diamond Run Mall, and several downtown art spaces, including the Castleton Downtown Gallery. A recent partnership with the Rutland Economic Development Corporation has further solidified Castleton’s commitment to being an economic and intellectual driver in the region.
Castleton explored several options to locate the housing, and ultimately the Gryphon location proved to be perfectly situated, within easy walking distance to parking, public transportation, Castleton Downtown, and Foley Hall.
Building owner Foley has already begun preparing for the renovation, which includes one, two, three, and four bedroom options, with completion expected in time for students to move in, August 2017.
“While our foundation remains in Castleton, our future belongs in Rutland,” said Wolk. “These projects, our involvement with REDC, which is unlike any partnership in the country, and our many entrepreneurial ventures are all necessary innovations to provide our students with every opportunity to succeed during their time at Castleton and beyond.”
