Accounting senior Craig Koenig watches TV in his new Villas at Vista del Sol apartment on Thursday. The Villas opened to student residents this fall across from the Student Recreation Complex. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)Vista del Sol got new neighbors this fall as their Villas opened across the street.
The newly constructed Villas are part of the existing Vista del Sol apartment complex on East Apache Boulevard and South McAlister Avenue.
Area manager at American Campus Communities Michael Polzin said in an email the Villas provide a good living space for students because of the close location to campus, bigger floor plans with designer interiors and full access to the resort-style amenities at Vista del Sol.
All of the Villas’ models have three or four bedrooms. A room in one of the new units ranges from $679 to $699, depending on the floor plan.
Exercise and wellness junior Todd Schoenburg moved into one of the apartments last week.
“The new Villas have an interesting design,” Schoenburg said in an email.
All of the floor plans at the Villas have designer interior finishes, including quartz stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, crown molding, 2-inch wood-style blinds and accent walls in select units, Polzin said.
Schoenburg said he enjoyed living at Vista last year.
He moved from Vista del Sol to Villas because he can still enjoy all the facilities at Vista del Sol but have more space.
“I still can't believe I have a walk-in closet and separate room for my washer and dryer,” Schoenburg said.
Current residents have the opportunity to renew their lease in October, and on-campus residents get priority leasing periods later in the fall semester, Polzin said.
Schoenburg signed a lease for the Villas the first morning they were available because he knew they were going to fill up quickly.
“If I had waited another ten minutes I might not have been so fortunate to live at the Villas right now,” Schoenburg said.
Community assistants live in all of the Vista del Sol apartments as well as the new Villas.
“CA’s are helpful because they (can) tell you about great upcoming events and they can answer most questions you have about school,” Schoenburg said.
Vista del Sol will find roommates for anyone who does not have a preference.
“Last year I had three random roommates and got along with all of them,” he said.
Nursing sophomore Anika Cabanayan chose to live in the Vista del Sol apartments this year because they are so close to the Tempe campus.
Cabanayan said she would definitely consider moving to the Villas next year because of their larger rooms and newer appliances.
American Campus Communities, the company owner of Vista del Sol, does not have any more expansion plans for the facilities of the apartments and Villas at this time, Polzin said.
The company is now redeveloping Manzanita Hall, which is opening next fall, Polzin said.
Reach the reporter at hblawren@asu.edu
