Nine East 33rd, commonly known as “The New Building,” first opened its doors to student residents on Aug. 21. The building’s upper levels are designated as off-campus student housing, with retail space on its first floor.
Building construction began the summer of 2015 and Randi Kaltrider, director of operations for Nine E 33rd, elaborated on the current status of the building.
“Residential is completed,” Kaltrider said. “The only amenities we are working on is our quad space, which is on our green roof and on top of our parking garage. That is expected to be completed in a few weeks. We also have a couple of study rooms on the upper floor pending completion.”
Kaltrider said that the move-in process went smoothly.
“It was amazing because the team came up with a great plan in order to get students in through the check-in process and up to their apartments really quickly,” Kaltrider said. “We hired movers and rented moving bins to assist with that process, so it’s been very positive feedback from our family and our residents here.”
Currently, 78.6 percent of the housing units in the building are occupied. Five of the eight retail spaces are leased, with the CVS already open.
New student residents responded positively to the living space, but found there to be some areas needing improvement.
Senior Elizabeth Keckeisen, who is also a community assistant for Nine E 33rd, stressed the convenience and built-in furnishings of the apartment as a major positive attribute of living in the building.
“I love it, it’s really convenient and close to everything,” Keckeisen said. “It’s furnished, which is great and means I don’t have to furnish my own apartment. It’s been good so far. Everything’s new. [Having a] Washer-dryer in unit is probably my favorite part.”
Junior Anuj Mehndiratta noted how the building was a good environment for fostering a community for upperclassmen.
“I think it’s good, it’s a nice space,” Mehndiratta said. “It’s nice to have a place where the juniors and seniors are all living together.
When moving-in, several students found issues with appliances and leftover signs of construction.
“When we first moved in it was really dirty, and it had builder’s glue on the counter and construction dust,” Mehndiratta said. “You could definitely see that they could have used a few extra days to make sure everything was clean and ready to go, for sure. It kind of seemed like they rushed the opening because kids were getting here.”
Regarding appliance fixes, Wessells found that the response time was prompt and the services were effective.
“Our washing machine didn’t open but they fixed it that day,” Wessells said. “And our fridge turned off basically, but they fixed it the next day.”
Keckeisen noted that problems are inevitable in a newly constructed space, but sees the situation improving soon.
“I think with new construction, there’s always some issues but I think everything is being taken care of in a timely manner. So obviously there was some stuff that wasn’t initially working but by now when everyone has moved in and settled in, everything is going well,” Keckeisen said. “It’s getting less and less crazy around here.”
Kaltrider echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the issues and the need for prompt responses.
“It’s just the normal growing pains of the building,” Kaltrider said. “Whenever there is an issue with a machine, we have gone up with our team, assessed whether or not it can be repaired or if it’s a warranty issue and needs replacement. That’s been going pretty well.”
Several students noted that similarities between the apartments of Nine E 33rd and the suites in Charles Commons.
“They’re basically Commons but nicer,” Wessells said.
Mehndiratta disliked the similarity of the building to the dorm-like atmosphere of Commons.
“It’s designed not so much like an apartment building but as a dorm,” Mehndiratta said. “If that is the intention, this is great. But they advertised it to us as an apartment building, and it doesn’t really feel as much as apartments or condos as [it does] dorms, in terms of layouts.”
Regarding the lease price, students acknowledged that it was on the more expensive side but that it was still competitive for the services provided.
“I think it’s a little pricey,” Mehndiratta said. “When you compare it to [The Village] Lofts, I think Lofts is 50 dollars more per month, and you’re getting much larger living spaces, much larger bedrooms, way nicer bathrooms, all the appliances, everything is much bigger and nicer. That’s the only real direct competition.”
Kecksen highlighted the buildings many amenities in response.
“It is pricey but you have a gym, you have 24-hour maintenance emergency response, and I think the furnished thing is huge,” Keckeisen said. “All of the furniture this year is brand new, really nice, all the appliances, everything is included in the rent price so utilities, heat, AC, water everything.”
The only retail space currently filled is CVS. Four of the other seven spaces have been leased to food vendors and are under construction. These leased businesses are THB Bagels and Deli, Honeygrow, which features stir-fry bowls and build-your-own desserts, Peka Peka Ramen, and Bird in Hand, a coffee shop and bookstore.
According to the retail team for Nine E 33rd, both Honeygrow and Bird in Hand plan on opening in October 2016. THB Bagels and Deli will be open by the end of the year, and Peko Peko Ramen in early 2017.
Sophomore Timothy Lee appreciates the increased variety in food options near campus.
“I’m excited for the coming ramen place,” Lee said. “The greater diversity of cultural on-campus options will add a lot to campus.”
Sophomore Matt Naeher noted how nice the new building and eventual new stores will look.
“Just aesthetically, St. Paul Street has gone through great improvements through these new stores,” Naeher said.
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