Investors spruce up long-derided College Inn near OSU for a fresh, colorful life as The Gem

By Mary Ann Albright
Gazette-Times reporter

On Wednesday, Melissa Williams went on a tour of The Gem, an apartment complex directly across Monroe Avenue from Oregon State University, and she was struck by how the new housing option combines the best aspects of dorm and off-campus living.

“I thought it was wonderful. It’s exactly one step up from being in a residence hall. You don’t have the restrictions of a dorm, but you don’t have the responsibility of having to handle the separate utilities yourself. It’s all included in one bill. It’s a win-win,” said Williams, a sophomore majoring in English and education.

The Gem occupies the 1960s cement building formerly known as College Inn, but its brightly colored interior with sleek, modern architecture and luxury amenities bears little resemblance to the old complex.

The College Inn, which last housed students in 2002, had been called by some the ugliest building in Corvallis.

After almost 40 years of use and three years of abandonment, the building presented a challenge for Mahlum Architects, the firm that designed the $10.6 million renovation.

Rather than demolish the existing structure, investor Lorig Associates kept the building’s exterior core and shell, as well as many indoor components.

Walsh Construction began the overhaul last May, and expects to complete its work in April.

The first OSU students, faculty and staff should be able to move in May 1, and apartment managers expect all 231 units in The Gem will be filled come September.

The Gem is owned by OSU, but will be managed by College Housing Northwest Corvallis for 35 years.

Grant Anderson, The Gem’s property manager, said he’s gotten positive responses from students touring the facility. He’s given out 150 applications so far and expects that number to increase quickly as word of mouth spreads.

“We actually create a unique situation where we’re one block off campus, but we have a great relationship with Oregon State University,” Anderson said.

“We offer a great way for students to get to know each other like they can in campus housing, but we’re apartment living. It’s a great bridge between student housing and entering the private sector on your own after you graduate college.”

Monthly rent at The Gem varies, starting at $450 for a studio, $570 for a large studio, $670 for a deluxe studio, $735 for a one-bedroom, $545 for a room in a two-bedroom suite and $520 for a room in a three-bedroom suite.

Studios account for 199 of the units, and there are 12 handicap-accessible apartments. Some deluxe studio lofts on the ground floor have their own doors with outside access.

Prices within each category vary, based on room size and view.

Rent includes furniture (a mini-fridge, bed, desk, file cabinet, sofa chair and bureau for smaller units, while larger apartments have full refrigerators and include a sofa and dinette table), utilities, phone, cable TV, high-speed Internet and access to shared facilities.

The Gem has a basement, with a fitness center and coin-operated laundry machines, ground level and six stories.

Each floor has a different color scheme. On the fifth floor, the one students can tour, the lobby and hallways are coated in a rich crimson.

Every unit on that floor has at least one accent wall painted red, adding a splash of color to an otherwise white apartment.

No two apartments have the same floor plan. This gives the units a unique flair, but also presents somewhat of a gamble, since students cannot request specific apartments.

Anderson said The Gem will do its best to accommodate requests for design preferences, unit sizes, floors and suitemates.

Williams said not being able to choose her exact room is a small sacrifice compared to all the benefits The Gem has to offer.

She lives in Bloss Hall on campus, and she’ll likely live on campus again because she’s running for a residential hall leadership position.

If and when she does move off campus, The Gem will “definitely be (Williams’) first choice.”

The fact that apartments come furnished could be a pro or a con, depending on whether students already own sofas, beds and other items, Williams noted.

She also said other apartment buildings off-campus offer more space at less expensive prices, although The Gem has them beat on location and potential for community building.

In addition to the fitness center and laundry facilities, The Gem also boasts a yoga area, game room with pool tables and foosball, coffee shop, business center, on-site management, live-in assistant manager, four resident assistants, and communal kitchen and big screen plasma TV.

The building is smoke-free. Residents will access the building and specific floors with keycards.

Ten- and 12-month leases are available, with the option to renew.

At a glance:

Renovations on The Gem, formerly College Inn, will be completed in April.

The apartment complex is owned by Oregon State University, and leased by College Housing Northwest Corvallis.

All OSU students with junior standing at the time of move in (or sophomores in the Honors College), graduate students, faculty and staff can apply for studios, one-bedroom units or suites.

Applications are now being accepted, and people should be able to move in May 1.

The building is on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Kings Boulevard. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information, all 754-7593 or see www.thegem.org.

Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.