The University of Houston continues to build on its vision to attain Tier-One status, recently unveiling its newest residential housing option—Calhoun Lofts.

“Calhoun Lofts is something that many universities dream of, and we have it here,” said UH President Renu Khator.

Khator was one of nearly 100 faculty, staff, students and guests, including U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who gathered for the grand-opening ceremony of Calhoun Lofts. They packed an air-conditioned tent prior to the ribbon-cutting of what is now the largest building on campus.

Located north of the Bauer College of Business and south of the UH Law Center, the 10-story, 547,000-square-foot residential hall contains 734 apartment-style units. The lofts and other residential housing will play a key role in UH’s Tier-One ambitions and in attracting the best and brightest students to campus, Khator said.

“We’re on our way to becoming a Tier-One university,” she said. “One of the essential components of a Tier-One university is the residential experience for students. Why? Because that gives students a comprehensive environment in which to learn, not just vertically from professors, but horizontally from each other, through interactions.”

Khator thanked all project participants, adding, “I know you had some challenges…. but we have built it. It’s a dream, a vision, and it is going to be very, very helpful for the University of Houston.”

Khator and UH System chairman and alumnus Welcome Wilson Sr. accepted a special congressional recognition certificate in honor of the lofts’ grand opening from Lee, who attended on behalf of the 18th Congressional District.                                                                     

During his welcoming remarks, Wilson described the lofts as the “latest and greatest housing program at the University of Houston.”

Wilson recalled being the first resident of the first housing project at UH 63 years ago, when the university purchased 100 Army surplus house trailers across the street near what is now Melcher Hall.

“I was in trailer number 67 with my brother Jack,” Wilson said. “The restroom was a block and half away. We called it the latrine.”

Since then, the campus has grown tremendously, boasting several residential facilities such as Cullen Oaks, Bayou Oaks and, now, Calhoun Lofts. The facility features such amenities as a granite counters, AT&T U-verse cable and video system, a theater room, Wi-Fi, roof terraces, a cyber lounge, a fitness room and 10,000 square feet of retail space.

 “There isn’t any other residential hall like this in the country,” said Dave Irvin, associate vice president for plant operations. “It’s one of a kind, because I think it takes a team of Cougars to do what we’ve done here.”

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu