When construction for Station 74 began in fall of 2014, the apartments were no more than piles of rock.
A new off-campus apartment development will soon bring competition for the other apartment complexes in Murray. Station 74 is under construction off North 16th Street.
The apartments are scheduled to be completed in August of this year, said Chelsey Gilbert, property manager of Station 74.
The windows and roofs have been installed on three of the six buildings, putting the project on target for its Aug. 2015 deadline.
“We’re definitely excited to be in Murray,” Gilbert said.
Station 74 offers two and four bedroom apartments, each person receiving their own private bathroom, Gilbert said.
The two bedroom will cost $625 per person, while the four bedroom will be $499 per person.
The rent includes all utilities and the apartments are furnished.
According to the Station 74 website, the apartments include Internet, cable, furniture and a washer and dryer.
“They seem very nice and will open up more living opportunities for students,” said Tanner Grider, freshman from Louisville, Ky. “They are close to campus, so you can still be involved in campus activity. They’re an appealing idea.”
As of Jan. 28, Station 74 has started to resemble the apartments students will be living in this August.
Grider, who is apartment hunting, said his price range is $500 to $600 per month but he has also been looking at Campus Evolution Villages, where prices are cheaper.
Jon Carter, Campus Evolution Village leasing consultant, said three-bedroom apartments at CEV North cost $432 per person, while the four-bedroom costs $423 per person.
The rent includes all utilities except for electricity, which is $25 per person.
According to floor plans featured on the CEV website, their apartments also have private bathrooms for each bedroom, along with a washer and dryer.
CEV’s rooms are also completely furnished, along with cable hookups and Internet, according to the website.
Adam Wilson, freshman from Memphis, Tenn., said his price range is $300 to $500.
Wilson and his roommate are looking at a house on Vine Street, which appealed to them because of its closeness to the University.
“The house wasn’t pet friendly, which will probably prevent us from getting it,” he said.
Neither Station 74 nor CEV allows pets, said Gilbert and the CEV website.
Grider believes being pet friendly is a major selling point, but is only an added bonus and not necessary.
Gilbert believes Station 74 will stand up well against the competition in Murray.
The complex’s modernization and the “college experience” the company works for is what will set it apart from other apartments in the area, Gilbert said.
“As a company, we strive to provide the best college experience for our residents,” Gilbert said.
Story by Sara Gantz, Staff writer