Student Housing, Grand: West 22

Serving students at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Kennesaw, Ga., the property provides 850 beds less than two miles from campus. KSU is Georgia’s third-largest and fastest-growing university, and off-campus student housing had failed to keep pace. West 22 helps fill the gap with high-quality units at affordable prices, so it’s not surprising the community was 99 percent leased within four months of opening in August 2013.

The wide variety of floor plans ranges from one-bedroom apartments to roomy cottages and manor homes. Every unit includes amenities such as a 42-inch TV, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a balcony or patio, and a full-sized washer and dryer.

Common areas, though, may be what truly set the development apart. Features include an Internet café, billiards and game rooms, and a movie theater—and that’s just in the extra-large clubhouse, which overlooks a 3,000-square-foot pool with a deck and outdoor grilling kitchen. Students can also gather around the fire pit or relax in the community hammock grove.

A two-story fitness center is available, along with abundant outdoor space that includes a half-mile trail, a basketball court, and a sand volleyball court.

Originally an underutilized industrial area, the project is part of the city’s mission to rejuvenate town areas and add retail and residential spaces. As a result, resident students enjoy easy access to 25,000 square feet of shopping and dining.