Provided by Ashcroft Homes
An artist illustration shows Envie Student, a massive condo-like student living building going up in Little Italy.Envie Student, a ground-breaking 28-storey condo building customized for those attending university and college, will be open to student renters this fall in Little Italy.
The project by Ashcroft Group is the first of its kind in Ottawa, though a second building dubbed “Capital Hall” is scheduled to be complete at the same site by spring of 2018. When both buildings are complete, there will be units available to 1,100 students.
Manny Difilippo, Ashcroft’s chief financial officer, says Envie Student is designed to fill the need for student housing close to Carleton University. Difilippo says he calculates there are approximately 10,000 Carleton students living off campus away from their families who need student housing.
Envie Student is designed specifically for such residents. The building will have themed floors, common spaces for socializing and studying, a full gym and basic security.
Difilippo says Little Italy was the clear choice for this student lifestyle building because of its proximity to the O-Train, which runs between Carleton and the Carling stop at the south end of Preston Street in just a few minutes.
Difilippo says convenience is what makes Envie Student different from other student housing options surrounding Carleton. The Envie building is on Champagne Avenue, a minute’s walk from the Carling O-Train stop.
In addition to the accessible transit, Difilippo says Little Italy – which has been undergoing a commercial and residential renaissance in recent years – will offer a vibrant community for the new student-residents.
Khalil Meghji, a first-year Carleton student who will be moving into an Envie apartment in September, says it was the convenient location that sold him on the condo.
“The fact that it’s right beside the O-Train makes my commute to Carleton way easier. I also like that it’s all students because I think that will mean a fun environment,” he says.
Local business owners, too, seem to be excited by the prospect of more students in the area. Anna Ho, owner of Nails and Salon on Preston Street, says she is looking forward to completion of the building.
“It will be great for business,” she says. “Already so many students come here, this will mean even more.”
Natalie Esau, owner of The Upkeep Shoppe on Preston, says this is a time of growth for the area.
“Anytime that money is being invested into a neighbourhood, it’s a good thing,” says Esau.
The reaction to Envie Student hasn’t been universally positive. Steph Desson, a resident in the SOHO building, which was the first condo completed on Champagne Avenue, says she is not looking forward to the student move-in.
Desson says she and her fiancé moved into this condo because it seemed to be geared towards young professionals.
“We picked a place that wouldn’t have a party atmosphere. Then for a giant building to come in next door that is just for students, you just know you’re going to be in a party area and I am not excited for that,” says Desson.
She worries this increase of students on Champagne Avenue may lower the value of the building she is in.