Plans for The Nest, a 85-unit student housing project located on Stewart Ave. and White St., was unanimously approved by the Rock Hill Planning Commission on Jan. 7. The project is being co-developed by BurnBrae Companies and Flagsticks Development Group, LLC.
Connor Bell, Acquisitions Manager for BurnBrae Companies, said that construction is set to begin this June, with hopes to be completed the following year.
“So we’re hoping to start construction in June, with the idea of being done and ready for the first school year in 2020. Hopefully we’ll have people moving in August 2020. We’ll be doing a bunch of pre-leasing on campus before then. It’s a really exciting project,” Bell said.
Students will be able to sign individual leases for a bedroom in a two or four bedroom unit. Units come fully furnished and each room comes with its own full bathroom and walk–in closet.
“One of the benefits of this project is that every student will have their own bathroom and walk-in closet. There will dishwashers, obviously, disposals, washers and dryers in every unit. Free storage for bikes and things like that,” Bell said.
Units are also planned to be larger than those of Campus Walk and Courtyard.
“The units are going to be huge, too. I think the average square footage is 1,400 square feet, which is almost twice the size of Campus Walk,” Bell said.
Jerry Passaro, managing member for Flagsticks Developing Inc., said that The Nest offers students an updated housing option with amenities and benefits that have previously been unavailable to them.
“The last student housing project that’s been built has been 14 years ago. Things have changed a lot in 14 years. If you look at the Courtyard, you’re living in a 9×9 foot bedroom. If you move to our project, you’re living in a 10×12, 11×12 foot bedroom,” Passaro said.
Residents of The Nest will have access to many different amenities and services including pools, tanning booths, fitness centers, a yoga and pilates room, study lounges and an outdoor cinema.
The Nest will be close to Campus Walk housing, allowing residents to remain near their friends. The Nest will also be close to University Center.
“We’re going to be right in the center of all the action, too at University Center. For those that can drink, seniors, only seniors, there’s going to be a brewery right next door. There’s going to be a lot of cool restaurants and entertainment,” Bell said.
Rent for The Nest, though not officially set yet, is estimated to start in the mid-$600’s and will include utilities in that number.
“Is it affordable? I think for what we’re going to be offering them, I think the students will see that it’s worth the money. A four-bedroom unit is probably somewhere in the mid-$600s. For two-bedrooms, probably mid-to-high $700s,” Passaro said.
There will be 125 parking spaces reserved in a parking deck for The Nest for the 145 units, while Winthrop lots would be used for the remainder of residents with vehicles who would then bus or walk to and from campus.
Passaro said that safety is another feature that The Nest has covered, with a secure building and quiet time.
“Everything that [students] need will be right there. So we’re excited about it, and I really think that students at Winthrop are going to be thrilled with what they see,” Passaro said.
