Taylor University purchased the Casa Apartments in March 2024; they first started considering purchasing the apartments early spring semester of 2023 according to Stephen Olson, vice president for finance and chief financial officer.
Beginning in Fall 2025, the Casa Apartments will open for student housing.
After many years of considering the possibility of acquiring both the Casa and Delta Apartments, this past summer Taylor found itself in a position that left it no choice.
“We just knew we were going to need some additional housing,” Skip Trudeau, vice president for Student Development and Intercollegiate Athletics said. “This was the quickest way, and probably the most economical way to make that happen.”
Due to the season of growth the university is in, Trudeau said the school had to act quickly to ensure they have enough beds for students.
Since the university acquired the apartments, the previous residents have moved out with the exception of current Taylor students who already had a lease agreement.
Since the purchase, Taylor has started refurbishing Casa, Julia Hurlow, dean of Campus Life said. The school is currently focusing on cosmetics and plumbing.
“Much of the plumbing has been replaced, and we did work on the heating and cooling systems,” Olson said. “There was also work on doing some flooring, and I think we're placing all the ovens, (and) the stoves in there.”
With attaining the Delta Apartments in fall 2023, Taylor added about 200 beds. Even more housing options will arise for students when the Casa Apartments become available.
Additionally, with the introduction of Taylor's new physician assistant program, Trudeau and Olson said Casa and other apartments could become a potential home for future physicians assistants and other graduate students.
Concerns have been raised about maintaining a sense of community with Casa being two blocks from campus. However, Olson is aware of these concerns. He said when he was a student in the 90s, close to 200 students were living off campus.
“I've been really impressed by how strong the students who move into the apartments, whether they're Campbell, Wolgemuth or RV, how strong a connection they maintain with their floor or wing,” Olson said. “That was not the case when I was here.”
While the short-term goal for the Casa Apartments is to provide sufficient room for students, the project reflects a larger vision for Taylor’s future. As the university continues to grow, these apartments offer both immediate solutions and long-term opportunities.
With new housing and academic programs taking shape, university leaders remain committed to meeting the evolving needs of their students.
