STUDENT LIVING
Chicago Region Case Studies
By the Numbers
50+
STUDENT HOUSING PROJECTS COMPLETED NATIONALLY
30M+
SQUARE FEET OF STUDENT HOUSING
11K+
STUDENT HOUSING UNITS
17K+
STUDENT HOUSING BEDS
2025 STUDENT HOUSING ARCHITECTS
BUILDING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION RANKINGS
Where We Work
BKV PRACTICE SITES SATELLITE OFFICES MINNEAPOLIS
BKV PRACTICE SITES SATELLITE OFFICES
Atmosphere at Madison Madison, Wisconsin
Atmosphere at Madison inspires residents to be the best version of themselves, supported by invigorating amenities, and thoughtfully designed apartments prioritizing comfort, aesthetics, and convenience. Thoughtfully designed apartments prioritize comfort, aesthetics, and convenience.
Near UW-Madison, in the heart of MadTown, convenience is everything in being proximate to the city’s finest shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations.
Atmosphere at Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
750 Regent Street SIZE
COMPLETION 2024
DESCRIPTION
The development includes 363 apartments, resident club lounge, fitness center, multiple elevated outdoor landscaped terraces and a rooftop pool. It will also include an embedded parking structure that will provide approximately 322 parking spaces to be shared by the residents and office tenants of Atmosphere at Madison. The apartment property is professionally staffed, operated, and managed at the local level with an on-site management office.
The Standard at Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana
The Standard at Bloomington is a much sought after student housing offering a range of room types such as studios, ensuites, and apartments. The development caters to diverse preferences and requirements and conveniently located near Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.
The Standard at Bloomington blends modern living with convenience offering access to study lounges, fitness facilities, and social spaces. Its contemporary amenities and secure environment create a balanced lifestyle for students focused on both academics and relaxation.
The Standard at Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
250 E 14th Street
SIZE
4-stories
439 units; 1,064 beds
COMPLETION
2024
DESCRIPTION
The Standard at Bloomington incorporates 439 units and 1,064 beds within three residential buildings. Amenity spaces will include a lobby, clubroom, fitness, study areas, business center, mail, basketball court, and facility leasing/management space. Outdoor amenities will include a shared outdoor courtyard with amenities such as outdoor patio, pool, firepit, grilling stations, bar, trellis, private walk-out patios and landscaping.
The Deacon
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Deacon offers a blend of comfort, style, and convenience. This property is situated in the Clifton area of Cincinnati and offers contemporary living and modern amenities. An extraordinary student housing experience is just a short stroll from the University of Cincinnati campus. Unwind in the arcade lounge, relax in a hammock, or unleash your inner musician in a fully equipped jam lounge. Pamper your furry friend at the exclusive pet spa, then soak up the sun by the resort-style pool. With 18 private study lounges, green spaces to rejuvenate, and a golf simulator with putting green for leisure time, the Deacon ensures you’ll live life to the fullest during your academic journey.
The Deacon
Cincinnati, Ohio
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
424 Straight Street
SIZE
11-stories
357 units; 1,029 beds
COMPLETION
2019
DESCRIPTION
The Deacon includes 17,500 square feet of customized amenities. Residents have access to a jam lounge, music practice rooms, a golf simulator/game room, pet spa, 24/7 fitness center, hammock lounge, and private study lounges. The project also includes pedestrian connections to the existing six-story parking garage, which will undergo aesthetic updates and repairs. Recently showcased on the cover of Student Housing Business, this project focuses on modern design strategies that creates an impactful final product within a tight budget.
The Marshall
Minneapolis, Minnesota
At The Marshall, the student resident journey begins with a sense of belonging and vibrancy. From the moment residents step into the reimagined community, they are welcomed by thoughtfully renovated spaces tailored to the modern-day lifestyle. The apartments feature updated designs that balance comfort and functionality, while common areas, fitness spaces, and the resident clubhouse create opportunities for relaxation, connection, and growth.
Living at The Marshall means more than just having a place to stay—it’s about becoming part of a well-rounded and enriching community where design and functionality meet the needs of today’s University student.
The Marshall
Minneapolis, Minnesota
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
515 14th Avnue SE
SIZE
6-stories
316 units; 994 beds
COMPLETION
2014; Renovated in 2024
DESCRIPTION
The Marshall is located just north of the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood of southeast Minneapolis. It includes retail and commercial space on the first floor and a series of walk-up townhome units on the ground floor, that allow residents to have direct access from the adjacent sidewalk. The 316 units of market-rate rental housing are marketed to University faculty, staff, students and other professionals who wish to live near the University. Approximately 41,000 sq ft commercial and retail space is located on the first floor and are designed to promote a pedestrian-oriented environment with outdoor seating opportunities at street level, as well as expanded boulevard conditions.
The street level retail provides and enhances a continuation of the current local retail patterns and experiences while also accommodating enclosed at-grade and underground parking for customers and residents. The streetscape has a personal scale with a lively, upbeat atmosphere of sidewalk seating, street lighting, plantings, and entries to large-windowed storefronts with dynamic canopies and signage.
Landmark on Grand River
East Lansing, Michigan
Landmark on Grand River is a modern student apartment complex completed in 2018 adjacent to Michigan State University.
Situated in a prime location near commercial districts, it is just a 5-minute walk to campus. Designed for students and young professionals, Landmark offers bright, modern student apartments that rise above East Lansing giving residents unparalleled access to everything: classes, Student Union, main bus line, sporting events, retail, dining, all while directly atop a Target store.
Landmark on Grand River
East Lansing, Michigan
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
205 E Grand River Avenue
SIZE
12-stories
273 units
COMPLETION
2018
DESCRIPTION
Located across from the Michigan State University campus in downtown East Lansing, Central City District consists of two 12-story individual rental apartment towers, one focused around university living and one for active adults, both at market-rate rental. The towers accommodate 273 student units and 91 active adult units, amenities including landscaped courtyards, fitness center, conference, group study lounges, game room, library, and a chef’s kitchen as well as a dedicated dog run. The ground floor occupies a Target and the street were converted to a curbless “complete street” to accommodate the existing festivals that are held on the surface lot to create a flexible, active and diverse pedestrian corridor.
Identity Dinkytown
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Located directly right across the street from The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in the heart of Dinkytown, Identity is home to studio through fivebedroom floor plans with modern finishes, and two courtyards stacked with incredible amenities.
Students can energize their mornings by starting their morning at a coffee and breakfast bar or with a 24-hour fitness centre. From quiet spaces to snuggling with a laptop to large study groups, the property has a perfect spot for you and your friends. The property is fully furnished and also comes with amazing and comfortable interior amenities.
Identity Dinkytown
Minneapolis, Minnesota
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
405 15th Avenue SE
SIZE
6- and 7-stories
308 units; 910 beds
COMPLETION
2023
DESCRIPTION
Identity Dinkytown is 6 stories on 4th Street and 7 stories on 5th Street, reflecting the natural grade of the site. It offers 308 units, along with 277 parking spaces and 30,000 square feet of retail surrounding the ground floor. The main housing entrance is in the center along 15th Avenue. Retail is incorporated at the street fronts on all major sides. The design is conceived as three buildings that are linked together. Each of these buildings addresses a different corner of the site. Along 4th Street, a portion of the building projects out from the main façade to create a low-rise element that is in character with the neighboring context buildings. At 14th Avenue a masonry structure anchors the corner, its material composition echoing the established character along the street. The corner of 5th and 15th is simple and straight-forward, completing the diverse, dynamic urban edge created by the development. The landscape design creates a pedestrian friendly ground plane around the entire development, incorporating foliage, seating, lighting, hardscape elements, bike parking and space for outdoor seating next to the retail outlets.
Arc at Old Colony
Chicago, Illinois
The historic Old Colony Building, a 17 story, “early skyscraper” was built in 1893-94 by Holabird & Roche, and was first landmarked in the 1970’s. Located in the South Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago, this once former office building was renovated into 111 units of apartments, and several great amenity spaces, including numerous high-end gathering spaces, study lounges, blowout bar, clubroom, and a rooftop deck.
The design concept was to restore the building back to its historic condition, and incorporate lively and modern inserts to contemporize the interiors and relate to the youthful demographic that lives here.
Arc at Old Colony
Chicago, Illinois
CASE STUDY
ADDRESS
37 W Van Buren Street
SIZE
17-stories
111 units
COMPLETION
Renovation 2015
DESCRIPTION
The historic Old Colony Building was repurposed into a luxury housing development. This 17-story, “early skyscraper” was built in 1893-94 by Holabird & Roche, and was first landmarked in the 1970s. Located in the South Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago, this building now boasts 111 residential units and several great amenity spaces, including numerous gathering spaces, study lounges, blowout bar, clubroom, and a rooftop deck. The building has been restored to its historic condition and is fully of remarkable details alluding to its past. Salvaged elevator cages and custom “OCB” doorknobs are featured in several of the common areas, while much of the original marble shines throughout the building.
