Developed by Investment Property Advisers, Cardinal Towne is a four-story, 379-bed, brick facility located on a 4.5-acre block just north of Belknap Campus. Bounded by Cardinal Boulevard and Third, Fourth and Bloom streets, it was the site of Masterson’s restaurant for many decades.
Developer Larry Gough noted that he worked closely with UofL officials from the beginning of the project to keep them informed, and that he consulted with the university’s planning, design and construction office to make sure the development was in keeping with the university’s master plan.
He also said that his team worked brought in students to consult on décor and to help market the facility.
Cardinal Towne joins the Province and the Bellamy, other privately developed student housing complexes built in recent years, as solutions to UofL’s housing needs.
More students are choosing to live on or near campus to be part of the vibrant campus life, said Provost Shirley Willihnganz at the event.
Noting that UofL’s state mandate is to be a premier metropolitan research university, she said that such development creates that sense of community that a metropolitan university needs.
“The things happening at UofL are amazing,” said Mayor Greg Fischer of the physical and academic changes at UofL in recent years. “We can point to our hometown university with great pride.”
UofL students, including some student athletes, will fill most of the residential space at Cardinal Towne. All of that space and 90 percent of its commercial space has been leased, Gough said.
It’s a testament to how well we’ve been received on campus and in the community, he said.
After the announcement, people who attended the ribbon cutting were allowed to tour the new facility and get a glimpse of the rooms and amenities. Each unit includes a kitchen, bathroom, washer and dryer. The complex also has a pool and recreation room.
The first level of the complex is dedicated to retail establishments.
Businesses – many of which are Louisville-based and new to the Old Louisville community – are set to open later this month. They include Qdoba, The Avenue, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Papalino’s NY Pizzeria, Cluckers, Saigon One, Quills Coffee, Comfy Cow Handmade Ice Cream and Desserts, Home Run Burgers & Fries, Gray’s College Bookstore, Cardinal One and Class Act Credit Union.
