Luxury apartments under construction amid FGCU housing shortage

ESTERO, Fla. – You don’t normally equate top of the line appliances and state of the art amenities with student housing but that’s exactly what a brand new, luxury apartment complex in Estero is offering.

As the student population at Florida Gulf Coast University continues to grow, so does the need for off campus housing. Construction of brand new student housing apartments called ‘The Reef’ is underway.

The apartments is an independent complex, not directly affiliated with the university. The apartments will be open in time for the fall 2016 semester.

The Reef’s General Manager Stacey Hess says there’s definitely a need for their type of property.

“The population of the students at the college [is] about 15,000 and to house the students on campus there’s only about 4,000 beds. Other than that, there’s only conventional housing around here other than one other student housing property,” says Hess. “So there’s definitely a need for our type of property.”

The Reef, as it’s will look feature granite countertops, a state of the art fitness center and a lounge, among other amenities.

“It’s geared toward the student so we have four bedroom, four bathroom apartments that come fully furnished with all utilities included,” describes Hess.

Other amenities include study rooms and a shuttle that goes to-and-from the FGCU campus.
FGCU student and The Reef Community Assistant Elizabeth Dossous, says the new development shines light on the growing student housing shortage in the area.

“At orientation they really stressed how we should apply for housing because housing is very limited and some of the kids in my orientation were placed on wait-lists and some of them didn’t even get into housing when we started in august,” says Dossous. “If you don’t sign up as soon as possible then you’re pretty much stuck and that will either make or break if you come here or not.”

The new 14 building complex is all about convenience. Each room is leased separately so students and parents aren’t on the hook if someone else can’t pay their share. Additionally, with utilities included students only have to make one payment a month.

“I don’t have to worry about whether my roommate is going to come up with her part of the rent or her part of the electric or her part the internet and leave me stranded,” says Dossous. “So you know i’s convenient in the sense that I only have to worry about myself.”

Hess says even though the units aren’t open, leasing has started and apartments are already going quickly. The complex is targeting FGCU, FSW and other students but the complex isn’t limited to college age adults.

“The great touches with granite counter tops, wood floors, the club house the state of the art fitness, I mean who wouldn’t want to live there?” says Hess.