Starting in the fall, Blue Square student housing will offer Utah State University students a piece of luxury away from home.
Construction recently began on the new student housing building, located at 1135 N. 800 E. in Logan, directly across the street from Romney Stadium.
“We want to offer students luxury housing where even laundry and maid service is available,” Alejandra Manjarres said. Manjarres is the niece of David Miller, the entrepreneur who is building Blue Square.
Miller graduated from USU in 1987 with his bachelor’s degree in business and finance. He resides in Florida, but maintains a full staff in Logan. Both the contractor and project manager are USU alumni who Miller graduated with.
Miller said his main goal is to give back to the school that provided him with his education and contributed to his success.
“I have always dreamed of giving back to my school,” he said.
The project will be built in three phases. Phase one will include four levels. The first level will include a retail courtyard and the remaining three levels will include 36 living units. The units range from single, to four person units. Each has a private bedroom, private bathroom and walk-in closet. Each unit also has common living areas such as the kitchen, living and dining areas.
Manjarres said a high number of students have inquired about living at Blue Square, so construction on phase two and three will begin soon.
Blue Square is focused on providing a large number of amenities for its tenants, including a fitness center, a sky room study lounge and an Aggie shuttle stop in front of the building.
Mike Graham is a contractor for the American First Builders, a company owned and operated by a USU alumnus. According to Graham, much of the funding for the new complex is being donated by other USU alumni.
“This is a special project to be partaking in,” Graham said. “I am excited that we are able to be giving something back to the place that helped shape many of the people in the area. They have played a big part in the design for the complex.”
Project representative Jane Smith feels that Blue Square is a great option for students that want to be off-campus and still feel close to the university.
“It is a short walk to campus, or a few minutes on the bus,” Smith said. “Blue Square is still close to the school, but at the same time away from all the hassle that school brings. It’s the perfect way to still be part of the Aggie experience. It is close to all of the major sporting venues as well.”
Blue Square will consist of 88 furnished units. There will be a 42” flat screen television, private bedrooms and bathrooms, walk-in closets and iPod docking station in every unit.
The complex will have fire pits, media and game rooms, BBQ pavilions and workout equipment. Complex management is currently looking to fill potential retail and restaurant space. They want Blue Square to become a place for students to hang out after a long day of classes or major sporting event.
Depending on how many bedrooms are in each suite, prices vary from $450-$700 per month.
Ali Davis, a sophomore living with her parents, said the complex will help her transition to campus life.
“I’ve always lived at home, so the idea of moving on campus is sort of scary,” Davis said. “It’s kind of expensive, but I think it will be worth it for me. It has everything I could possibly need and is still fairly close to everything. I’m kind of excited to see it finished.”
Blue Square’s managers would like to attract a tanning salon, a coffee shop and a restaurant for the retail courtyard.
“We want to support local businesses, but at the same time want to attract large names too,” Manjarres said.
Kyndall Peterson, Jill Dean, Lauren Handy, Cambria VandeMerwe, Heather Foster, Aaron Griffiths, Paige Sjoblom, Kyndall Peterson, Jill Dean, Lauren Handy, Cambria VandeMerwe, Heather Foster, Aaron Griffiths and Paige Sjoblom contributed to this report.
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