TempleTown held its grand opening of the Modules, a 72-unit apartment building.
The Sept. 16 grand opening ceremony of the 72-unit apartment building at 1417 N. 15th St., the Modules at TempleTown, celebrated the completion of the building, but final work on the building is still in the process of being finished.
“We completed the building in mid-August. We are finishing some loose ends, finishing touches,” said Jonathan Weiss, the president of Equinox Management and Construction and of TempleTown Realty. “They should all be complete by the end of this month.”
Construction on the building began Jan. 22, 2010.
The five-story building offers two- and three-bedroom apartments, furnished or unfurnished, that also include contemporary kitchens.
Approximately 100 people currently live in the Modules. One way the company first promoted the building was by offering free bicycles to those who reserved their apartments by April 30.
Interface Studio Architects designed the Modules, which was manufactured off-site and later assembled from more than 80 boxes, according to the firm’s website.
“It’s architecturally distinct, but it doesn’t stick out, and it’s housing a lot of college students without imposing on its neighbors,” Weiss said prior to the ribbon-cutting.
Marketing its green roof and porous paving, Weiss said he is hopeful that the Modules obtains certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
“Once the building is complete, there’s a bunch of paperwork that needs to be filed so we’re in the process of completing that, so it’s probably another couple of months until the certification is received,” Weiss said.
“We believe this will be the largest modular building to receive a LEED certification in the entire United States,” Weiss said at the ceremony.
In addition to its status as a “green” and sustainable building, the Modules also features secure on-site parking, a roof patio and laundry facilities.
Rent for a private-bedroom in an unfurnished apartment is $650 per month, while a private-bedroom in a furnished apartment is $690 a month, both of which include FIOS high-speed Internet, but no other utilities.
Weiss noted that current tenants were cooperative about moving into the building when it was not quite complete.
Justin Kochenberger, a freshman environmental science major, transferred to Temple this year. He said he chose the Modules after seeing other various places in the area.
Kochenberger said since he moved into the building in August, he has enjoyed living there.
“So far, so good,” he said.
Senior metals, jewelry, CAD-CAM major Abbie Kaufman said her apartment was spacious and that TempleTown accommodated her to be able to live by herself.
“The area’s not bad. It’s a little farther than most on-campus living, but it’s not that bad,” Kaufman said. “It’s just nice that no one else has [lived at the Modules] yet.”
“We think it’s an exciting building,” Weiss said. “The most exciting place to live [near] campus.”
Angelo Fichera can be reached at afichera@temple.edu.
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