University of Nevada-Las Vegas students will have a sleek new choice for urban living in fall 2017. The Midby Cos began a massive three-phased redevelopment of the University Park Apartments, an outdated, 1960s-era garden-style apartment community at the north end of campus. It's all part of a $76M project called “U District,” a contemporary student housing community on the UNLV campus. Designed to feel like an extension of campus, U District will offer students a unique, urban lifestyle.

A section of the existing apartments will be torn down and a new 758-bed building, known as The Degree, will replace them. The remaining units are being renovated and rebranded as Legacy LV. These newly renovated units of Legacy LV will be available to students this fall.

This will be the Midby Cos’ first foray into student housing, CEO Eric Midby tells us. The company has worked with UNLV for decades in various capacities, but has never built student housing. With a background in multifamily development and a close relationship with UNLV, Midby was able to use the opportunity to acquire the property to help improve the UNLV campus.

Eric says The Degree will feature two-bedroom/two-bathroom and four-bedroom/four-bathroom units with modern furnishings. The community will feature robust common amenities like study areas with computers and a print area, a multi-purpose room that encourages social engagement in a coffee bar, a game room, a resort-style pool and a fitness facility. Eric tells us all the common areas are designed to create a sense of community.

Eric says the trend toward more extreme and luxurious amenities is likely to be the way things are from now on, but The Degree will not be over-the-top. The development will provide a nice urban lifestyle for students.

Eric tells us that in future phases, the company might add some mixed-use options, such as restaurants and coffee shops, to keep the urban atmosphere.