U-M's student neighborhoods grow denser with 3 new projects

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Not all University of Michigan student housing projects are high-rises or require the demolition of existing housing stock. Some are just additions to what started off as single-family houses and are now multi-unit student abodes.

Three large student rentals just south of the university are about to get a bit larger. The Ann Arbor City Council is debating approving multi-room additions to 808 Tappan, 1012 Hill and 833 East University streets.

All three homes date to either 1910 or 1920 reflect the Midwestern architecture that defines the surrounding neighborhood. They are large buildings that the developer intends to add on a couple thousands square feet each. In the case of 833 East University the 3,000-square-foot building will more than double to 6,600 square feet.

Michael Van Goor of downtown Ann Arbor-based Van Goor Architects, the petitioner for each project, explains that these additions will maintain the feel and look of a historic home, not another bland apartment building. Work is expect to take place over the spring and summer.

"We have been able to maintain the neighborhood's character and these beautiful 100-year-old buildings," Van Goor says. "You just can't replace these."

Student rental projects are the only ones that are being pushed in the Ann Arbor area during the housing crisis. Other projects have been high-rises, suburban-style apartment buildings or denser buildings made to look like single-family homes. They have all called for the demolition of existing buildings.

Source: Michael Van Goor, principal of Van Goor Architects and the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke