Construction Begins on RISE at State College Development

By: fioreMarketing | September 6, 2016 | Original Article

Construction of a new, mixed-use residential and commercial development on East College Avenue is officially under way, with completion expected in 2018.

After the properties at 538 E. College Ave., formerly occupied by Kildare’s Irish Pub, and 532 E. College Ave. were demolished over the summer, construction work is now officially under way for Rise at State College, a 12-story, 140-foot building that will be occupied by a street-level grocery store, graduate and professional apartments and undergraduate student apartments.

The 330,000-square-foot building is being developed by Chicago-based CA Student Living, a student housing division of CA Ventures, and Liberty Mutual, which announced last week that construction had commenced.

“RISE at State College’s highly walkable location and modern aesthetic will make it an iconic ‘bookend’ to the East College Avenue corridor,” said JJ Smith, Chief Operating Officer of CA Ventures, in a release.

The first and second levels of the building will be occupied by retail and amenity spaces, with a 16,500 square foot Urban Market grocery store anchoring the development. The store will be Urban Market’s third university community location and will feature “locally sourced produce and meats, grab-and-go food items and prepared meals including fresh sushi daily, and year-round care package delivery,” according to the release.

Levels three and four will be designated for graduate student and professional residences, with levels five through 12 for undergraduate students. There will be a mix of sizes ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments. In all, the building will accommodate 575 beds.

“Each apartment will be fully furnished with designer furniture and feature wood-grain flooring, modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, flat screen televisions and in-unit laundry,” according to the release.

A 9,000-square-foot “amenity deck” outside will feature a hot tub and spa, gaming areas and a lounge with hammocks, a fireplace, grilling area and TV viewing area. Indoor amenities will include a 24-hour fitness center with yoga room.

“Because so much time is spent outside of individual residences, we’ve designed a full suite of amenities that can accommodate a variety of activities – everything from studying to exercising to socializing,” Smith said.

Altoona-based Leonard S. Fiore is general contractor for the project. Completion is expected in the summer of 2018, with pre-leasing beginning in the fall of 2017.


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