Students entering ASU downtown this fall will call the Ramada Inn Hotel home.
A tour of about 15 students and parents made its way through the site at 411 N. First St. on Thursday afternoon to visit the new dormitory at the cap of orientation.
While more changes will be made to the facility before move-in on August 17, students were able to preview a model dorm room, the spacious lobby, the cafeteria and meeting rooms during the tour.
Incoming undeclared freshman Amanda Rowe viewed the dormitory with her sister, mother and prospective roommate. Rowe, who was already signed up to live at the Residential Commons, said she was nervous and excited to move in and start ASU.
"It's such a big change from where I'm from," said the Northern Idaho native.
Her sister, Reva Rowe, was reapplying to ASU this semester, and the Residential Commons seemed to be a viable option to consider moving into by the end of the tour.
"It's pretty amazing here," Reva Rowe said. "The rooms are a lot bigger here - bigger than the ones we toured in Tempe."
The model room was furnished with two full-sized beds, a 25-inch television and included a small closet and a personal bathroom for the two residents. Each room faced the outside, with a view of the pool framed by palm trees.
Amanda Rowe's friend, Kelsey Tagmyer, said her first choice was to move to the Tempe dorms, but after realizing how difficult it was to secure a spot at Tempe housing at this time, she signed up at the Residential Commons as an alternative. She said she liked the environment of downtown ASU.
"I can have smaller classes here while still getting the urban experience," Tagmyer said.
Located on First and Polk streets, the Residential Commons provides is within walking distance from core ASU buildings. Across the street is the University Center. Just a short walk away is the Nursing and Healthcare Innovation building, the ASU Post Office and the Mercado.
The signs on most of the buildings, including the Ramada Inn's sign, still need to be changed. Kevin Cook, Vice Provost of Student Affairs downtown, said more changes would be implemented before classes begin August 21.
"We're going to change this place into more of a residence hall," Cook said. "By the time we're done, it's going to look and feel and smell and breathe like ASU."
The chandeliers in the lobby will be coming down, but the grand piano in the center might stay. The other furniture from the hotel, like the plush, white leather couches, would also stay, providing for a good study environment, Dora Valentin, Coordinator of Student Development and Activities, told the tour group.
The hotel accommodates 267 students but only 110 have signed up so far. Cook said the University plans to encourage more students to consider the Residential Commons through the other campuses.
"As spaces are filling up at West and Tempe, we hope students consider living here," Cook said. He added that free shuttle services would be provided to and from classes on other campuses.
Reach the reporter at lily.yan@asu.edu.
