PROVIDENCE, RI—Locally-based Gilbane Development reports that construction is now underway on its 257 Thayer student housing community here.

The 267-bed off campus student housing community is being developed for both undergraduate and graduate students at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). The building will be ready for move-in beginning in January 2015.

257 Thayer will be the first purpose-built student housing property in Providence and will include 95 suite-style apartments with one-, two- and three-bedroom units on four levels. On-site community amenities include a clubhouse room with multiple high definition TVs and gaming tables, group study rooms, a fitness center, extensive bike storage, high speed Internet and WIFI, and 24-hour resident services. A landscaped courtyard will feature a fire pit and barbeque.

The four-story development, located in the heart of College Hill, will be a multi-purpose facility that includes retail space on Thayer Street's frontage and an underground, heated 75-space parking garage. The project will utilize eco-friendly products and features in construction and sustainable management, including paint with low VOC and low emissions, electric car charging stations, bike storage, high efficiency systems, and solar power that will provide up to 10% of the building's power.

The development is designed to achieve LEED Silver Certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.

Bob Gilbane, CEO of Gilbane Development Company, says one of the driving factors for building in Providence was the lack of purpose-built student housing within the market. “We wanted to offer students at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design not only a state-of-the-art student housing community in an ideal location with modern amenities, but also a truly sustainable, eco-friendly living environment that they can be proud to call home. We have the experience to bring the highest quality product to this market that will exceed the desires of the student population,” he says.