The city of Sweetwater has approved a new $13.5 million, 29-story student housing tower across from FIU on Southwest Third Street. The building is expected to be one of the largest off-campus housing developments in the area, with more than 400 units and 1,600 beds.
Each bedroom will have a private bathroom, while residents will share kitchens and have access to amenities including a pool deck, fitness facilities and study lounges.
South Florida realtor Pedro Casanova of the Kren Group said FIU’s limited on-campus housing and the building’s modern amenities are expected to attract students to the area.
However, Casanova said the rapid transformation of Sweetwater has sparked concerns among longtime residents.
“I would say the older residents of that community are not happy about having 20-story buildings built there,” he said. “Sweetwater is going through a tremendous amount of change. There’s a ton of redevelopment going on for FIU student housing. Anytime that you have that change, the locals don’t take kindly to it.”
While no construction timeline has been announced, Casanova said the project could become a major development for future student housing near FIU.
