Coronado Apartments may be the perfect solution for students who wish to live off campus, now that phase one has finally been completed.

Students began applying for Coronado apartments last winter when the renovation of the former hotel began. Those students were originally told to expect their phase one apartments to be available sometime in July or August.

Kathy Bresnahan, property manager of Coronado, said, “We clearly stated that we anticipated a move-in date in August. However, we never guaranteed an August date. This is a construction project, and I could not tell anybody when we were opening for sure.”

The apartments are spacious, with hardwood floors and an abundance of natural light. Every unit is stocked with new amenities, with each bedroom providing Internet, phone and cable hook-up.

Residents can also maintain a sense of college community, since all current residents are Saint Louis University students or recent graduates.

Currently only phase one apartments are available; these units are located in the tower. Phase two apartments, which are in the 10-story unit, are expected to be available in mid-January.

For most potential residents, the delayed opening was not a problem. Jessica Schutz, a sophomore from St. Louis, was able to live at home and commute. One of her two Coronado roommates, Sarah Smith from Texas, stayed with Schutz’s family. The second roommate, Ellen Steichen from Oklahoma, stayed with an aunt in Collinsville and commuted. Schutz said, “We went into this blindly. We did not even see our apartment before we moved in, but it all worked out, and we love it.”

However, there were students who did not have any place to stay for the first week of classes, and subsequently made other living arrangements for the year.

“We did lose some of the students over the summer,” Bresnahan said. “It’s possible the September date had something to do with that, but for some students there were other factors that prevented them from living here. However, once students moved in and saw how magnificent this place is, they knew the wait was worth it,” she said.

Bresnahan believes that so far students have had no reason to complain. There have been no major security or maintenance problems. However, Coronado’s lobby is still a construction sight.

The bookstore and restaurant expected to inhabit the lobby will not be completed until sometime in October. Both will be open to the public, which raises a concern among some residents about safety. However, Bresnahan explains security is under control.

“Nobody will be able to get up to the units where residents live. You must have a key to use the elevator or stairs, so even if you have a friend that lives in Coronado, they will have to come down and meet you in the lobby,” Bresnahan said.

Coronado residents are also allowed to call for a Department of Public Safety escort and may address any security concerns to Coronado’s staff at any time.

As well as safety, many potential residents are concerned about costs. Phase one apartments range in price form $1275-2500 per month. The cheapest unit in phase one is a two bedroom, one bathroom, and the most expensive are the penthouse and loft which have four bedrooms, three bathrooms.

The rent covers all utilities including cable, telephone and Internet.

Bresnahan claims, “When you break down the costs and really take into account the space and luxuries you have here, you’ll see that you will spend less for 12 months at Coronado than nine months on campus.” The monthly rent does not include parking, which is an additional $40 per month.

There are still apartments available in phase one, and Bresnahan is currently taking applications for phase two apartments. Students can make appointments for tours or request applications by contacting Coronado.