Among the housing units springing up in Ames, one building will literally tower above the rest

Ames-based developer Ev Cochrane and Associates, 207 Stanton Ave., has begun construction on a 130-foot tall apartment building set to open in July 2004.

The building will be located at 119 Stanton Ave. near Campustown, said Russ McCullough, chief economist of Ev Cochrane and Associates.

The building will include 97 residential units on the fourth through seventh floors, parking on the first through third floors and 4770 square feet of commercial space spread throughout the building. The idea for the structure was first conceived in fall 2002, McCullough said.

McCullough said he doesn’t think the new building will drastically affect on-campus living.

“I think the dorms seem to handle mostly the freshman year,” McCullough said. “We’re targeting more the sophomores and higher.”

The residential space of the new building will include several apartments with between one and five bedrooms.

Each apartment will have two levels with 18-foot living room ceilings. There are mezzanine levels above most of the apartments, complete with spiral staircases. McCullough said. In addition, all apartments come with a semi-private deck shared with one other apartment, he said.

The apartments are available to anyone, McCullough said. Rent prices will range from $350-450 per bedroom.

Along with parking, a shared laundry room will also be located on the third floor.

Commercial spaces are available to lease or buy throughout the building, McCullough said.

“The sixth floor is more commercial,” McCullough said.

“It would be perfect for a dentist’s or attorney’s office.”

On the top floor, developers have left a large area for a restaurant, McCullough said. He said the area would be ideal for a sports bar and grill establishment. A roof-top garden is also planned and could possibly be a seating area for the restaurant.

“[The high-rise restaurant] would draw other members of the community to Campustown,” McCullough said.

Ev Cochrane and Associates is not the only developer planning new construction projects.

Hunziker Property Management, 105 S 16th St., is expanding their number of rental units as well, planning to add 24 apartments to its current establishments near the Somerset area in Ames, said Gary Hunziker, director of Hunziker Property Management.

Kate Bruns, communications specialist for the Department of Residence, said the university views the new apartment growth as just another housing choice for students.

“There are a large number of off-campus apartments,” Bruns said. “We view them as partners in housing students.”