About

The 156 faculty and staff housing units under construction at App State’s Innovation District are part of the first phase of development for the project. Consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations in five multistory buildings, the units will help meet App State employees’ housing needs.

Phase one of the Innovation District project also includes:

• The STEM Academic Building, which will include cross-disciplinary collaboration and encourage K–12 partnerships. This facility will be the district’s first academic building.
• A zero-carbon district energy system made up of renewable energy technologies that will begin to transition the Boone campus away from steam power. The system will generate and distribute energy to support the planned buildings in the Innovation District, including the STEM Academic Building and faculty and staff housing.

App State’s Innovation District initiative will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with the communities throughout the region, extending the university’s mission of teaching, research and service, preparing the workforce of today and building the workforce of tomorrow. The project is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the entire region, broadening economic development opportunities across Northwestern North Carolina. Learn more about App State’s Innovation District project.

This conceptual rendering depicts what the Phase 1 components of App State’s Innovation District might look like, once completed. The control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system is displayed at left. Solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies will power the district’s energy system. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent

A conceptual rendering of an outdoor courtyard located between the multistory buildings that are under construction as faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District. This housing is part of the district’s first phase of development. Graphic courtesy of Radnor Property Group

This artist’s rendering depicts the leasing office for faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District — part of the district’s Phase 1 development. Graphic courtesy of Radnor Property Group

This artist's rendering depicts a design concept for faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District, as part of the project's Phase 1 development. Image courtesy of Radnor Property Group

Status

Construction of the faculty and staff housing units is underway, and the units are slated for occupancy in 2025. Phase 1 construction work began in late July 2023, with the installation of erosion control fences and the removal of trees.

Vertical construction is underway for the multistory buildings that will house App State faculty/staff. Additionally, interior mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is ongoing in the building that will serve as a control center for the district’s zero-carbon energy system — currently referred to as the District Energy System (DES) Building.

Underground utilities (water, sewer, stormwater and fiber-optic cable systems) have been installed across the Innovation District site, and a retaining wall has been completed near the site of the district’s housing. Upcoming work includes installing heat pump chillers and pumps within the DES Building. And the planning and development process will soon begin for the first wind turbine to be installed at the Innovation District site.

In January 2023, App State received the University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ approval to enter into a ground lease with nonprofit corporation Beyond Owners Group, which is developing the multifamily, multistory residential units through it partner firms.

App State ceremoniously broke ground on the first phase of development for the Innovation District — beginning with the STEM Academic Building — on March 25, 2022.

Vertical construction is underway for the Phase 1 faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District site, as shown in this Sept. 10, 2024 photo. Photo by Wes Craig

A street-level view of the construction that is underway for Phase 1 faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District. This image was taken Sept. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities and Operations

An aerial view of the Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of Sept. 10, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig

This image, taken Sept. 11, 2024, shows the interior work taking place for the District Energy System Building at App State's Innovation District. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities and Operations

An aerial view of Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of Aug. 13, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig

Foundation work for the multistory buildings that will house App State faculty/staff at the university's Innovation District — part of the district's Phase 1 development — is shown in this July 2024 aerial photo. Photo submitted

This panoramic photo, taken July 15, 2024, shows the construction progress for the first phase of development at App State's Innovation District. The control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system, which is under construction as part of Phase 1 development, is visible near the top center of the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction work at App State's Innovation District progresses on schedule, as shown in this aerial image taken June 19, 2024. The control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system — part of the district's first development phase — is shown at right in the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of June 19, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction work is underway for the Innovation District's energy system control building, as shown in this June 19, 2024, photo. Workers are pictured installing roofing panels to the building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken May 16, 2024. The steel structural frame for the district's energy system control building is visible at right. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Phase 1 construction work taking place at App State's Innovation District, located at the top of Bodenheimer Drive on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The structural steel frame is in place for the control building for the district’s zero-carbon energy system, as shown in this May, 16, 2024, photo. Work to apply the exterior of the building will soon begin. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Workers are shown installing framing for the energy system control building at App State’s Innovation District in this photo, taken April 25, 2024. Appalachian State University photo

Construction is underway for the zero-carbon energy system control building at App State's Innovation District, as shown in this aerial photo, taken April 23, 2024. The foundation for the building has been set, and workers are pictured installing underground utilities for the building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress for the first phase of development at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken April 23, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of March 12, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress on the first phase of development for App State’s Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken Feb. 20, 2024. Recent construction work at the site includes the drilling of geothermal wells, which are part of a geothermal system that will serve both the faculty and staff housing and the STEM Academic Building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

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How is it funded?

The district’s faculty and staff housing is supported through a public-private partnership (P3) that does not rely upon state funds, or any capital from the university.

App State has entered into a P3 agreement with Radnor Property Group and Harrison Street for the housing development. Under this partnership, Radnor and Harrison Street are financing the housing project, and financing will be delivered under a 501c3 ownership structure to enhance affordability.

Who will benefit?

App State faculty and staff will benefit from this project by having access to housing options that are located within convenient proximity of Boone campus facilities, including the other components of App State’s Innovation District.

How does it support App State strategic priorities?

The development of faculty and staff housing at the Innovation District aligns with App State’s strategic priority of Investing in Faculty and Staff Excellence, part of the university’s 2022–2027 strategic plan. Under this priority, App State is committed to dedicating and ensuring ongoing resources for the recruitment, retention and support of exceptionally talented faculty and staff.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

The new faculty and staff housing units are expected to positively impact App State’s ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff, which supports the following University of North Carolina System strategic goals:

• Student success — having talented faculty and staff in place ensures App State can provide students with a high-quality education and an App State Experience that prepares them to succeed, in and beyond the classroom.
• Fostering excellent and diverse institutions — a System goal that includes improving the employee experience as well as faculty and staff retention.