Neighbors Get Sneak Peek at New Rock Row Townhouses

Rockhurst University’s newest student housing option, the Rock Row townhouses, were designed with plenty of input from those in the neighborhood.

So it’s no surprise that those same neighbors were given a sneak peek at the nearly finished residences south of 54th Street on Forest Avenue.

For their monthly meeting Tuesday, members of the Rockhurst University Neighborhood Committee were led on a short tour through one of the units, each of which will house junior- and senior-level students for a total capacity of 32 students. Each townhome is split into four units, each with four separate bedrooms, two shared “suite-style” bathrooms, high-speed internet, a common area that includes a kitchen and washer and dryer facilities, and off-street parking to the west of the units.

Matt Heinrich, associate vice president for facilities and technology for the University, said designing Rock Row involved working with homeowners on a design that drew inspiration from the historic bungalows of the neighborhood and reflected what students wanted to see in a new kind of residential living option.

“It’s a nice blend of living in the community and being on campus,” he said. “That blend is the coolest part, I think.”

Construction crews began work on the site in late March and worked through the winter whenever possible in order to have the units done in time for students to move in during August. Mark Hetlzer, associate dean of students and director of residence life, said students applied for spots in Rock Row in groups, and their applications were evaluated based on academic performance, leadership and service and behavior.

After applications opened up in the spring, the first 32 spots in Rock Row filled up quickly. But Heinrich said if the student response the first year remains positive, the University could build more townhouse units in the same area in the future.