407 College Avenue

The façade responds to both the tradition of the street and of urban architecture with design features including building height, brick colors and window treatments. To make the building appear similar in height to the adjacent 4- and 5-story buildings, the fifth floor is the last floor that extends to the street face. It is capped with a symbolic metal cornice that also serves as a railing for the balconies of the apartments on the top floor.

The first floor houses commercial space for two retail tenants, as well as laundry and storage space for apartments located above. Providing elegant student living in close proximity to the Cornell University campus, the apartments range from studio to 8-bedroom configurations. This variety addresses the gamut of student needs, from the 8-bedroom units for those who want large-group living, to the select top story, 2-bedroom apartments that offer bedrooms with private bathrooms and a balcony affording views of Cayuga Lake. A gated apartment entry courtyard suggests exclusivity and privacy with its planters, custom-designed trellis and garden bench.

For more information about this project contact Grace N. Chiang, AIA, NCARB: gnc@holt.com