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Higher Education: Dorms
Sweet Dreams: Trendy Dorms in Florida
Schools are spending millions on plush residence halls, looking for an edge in recruiting.
 The $1.3-million pool complex at Osprey Fountains has a lazy river. [Photo: University of North Florida] |
Osprey Fountains
University of North Florida, Jacksonville
Building cost: $86 million
Beds: 1,000
Opened: 2009
Amenities: Game room, fitness center with aerobics studio, themed lounges, swimming pool complex, convenience store, lighted tennis courts, lighted volleyball court, basketball court, running track, putting green and picnic tables
Floor plans: Mostly four-bedroom suites with a handful of six-bedroom suites and private rooms
Rates: $4,600/semester (one-bed private); $3,025/semester (four-bed private); $2,825/semester (six-bed private); $2,600/semester (six-bed double)
Notable: Osprey Fountains' most noticeable luxury feature is its $1.3-million pool area, featuring a "lazy river" with inner tubes. The dorm has several themed lounges, including the "Galaxy," a gamer's retreat equipped with Wii sets, PS3s and XBox360s; the "B.L.O.C.," a bean-bag study lounge; the "Upper Deck," a sports and entertainment lounge with giant-screen plasma TVs; and the "Morgue," a 24-hour study lounge. A "laundry view monitoring system" allows students to monitor the status of washers and dryers and set text reminders for when loads of laundry have completed.
