The Union on Lincoln Way Student Housing

​On a prime location at the edge of Iowa State University in Campustown, Opus leveraged its considerable student housing expertise with a new mixed-use project that includes private student housing and retail space. A joint venture partnership between project developers EdR and River Caddis development, the building’s diverse mix of uses fosters an active streetscape that encourages resident participation and captures the energy of the students and the area.

The building features five levels of wood-frame student housing apartments built atop a concrete podium with retail and amenity space. There are 157 apartment units, ranging from studios to four-bedroom units. A two-story lobby opens to a prominent location on Sheldon Avenue, adjacent to the lively Campustown area.

A thoughtfully designed underground parking garage complements resident and commercial activity along street frontages. Two amenity decks provide outdoor respite for residents to unwind from their studies while taking in views of the campus and arboretum. Residents enjoy additional best-in-class amenities such as a club room, fitness center and study rooms. Additionally, residents enjoy in-unit washers and dryers and WiFi throughout the community.

At street level, there is 7,500-square-feet of prime retail frontage. Architectural features of the multi-use building complements the character of Campustown with modern and clean lines, as well as superior quality building materials like metal panels, architectural concrete, masonry and glass.

This is the third student housing project Opus has designed and built in Ames, Iowa, following up on the success of The Foundry, a private student housing development, and Geoffroy Hall, an on-campus facility. An Opus Client Direct Services project that integrates all stakeholders – client, architect and builder – for meaningful collaboration, resulting in the best total value and costs savings for the client, it showcases application of the Opus DB³™ model of design-build construction.