Siobhan McAndrew | Reno Gazette-Journal

Sam Gross and Benjamin Spillman, Reno Gazette Journal

This story has been updated. UNR said hot tubs and other ammenities touted in the design of both buildings, and still advertised at UnCommon Reno and Canyon Flats, will no longer be an offering in the interim housing plan.

Individual bedrooms with private bathrooms are an extra perk University of Nevada, Reno's freshmen will by vying for when two new complexes become part of dorm life in August.

UNR announced Tuesday that it has contracted with two off-campus apartment complexes to house more than 800 students.

Both UnCommon Reno across from campus at 1669 N. Virginia St. and Canyon Flats at 661 N. Center St. advertise rooftop hot tubs as a selling point but UNR said those are no longer part of the residence plan for the fall semester. Other perks advertised including free tanning and pet care stations are also on hold during UNR's lease of both properties, university officials said on Wednesday.

The two complexes replace Circus Circus, where UNR housed 1,300 students after scrambling for housing following a dorm explosion on July 5, 2019 that damaged Argenta and Nye halls. UNR said it would not renew the lease with Circus Circus, which cost more than $21 million.

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Jason Bean/RGJ

Both Uncommon Reno and Canyon Flats were designed as private student housing.

UNR said the deal to rent out both properties for the 2020-21 school year is $10.1 million, which will be paid from insurance settlements from the dorm explosion.

Provided to the RGJ

UNR said housing rates are similar to what it costs to live in one of the other residence halls and range in price from $3,400 to $5,000 a semester.

Both apartment-style complexes have washer and dryers in each unit, private bathrooms for each bedroom and come fully furnished.

UNR said it no longer needs the tower at the downtown casino because Nye Hall will reopen in August. The two new complexes will house a combined 838 students and is an interim solution until Argenta Hall opens in August 2021.

Jason Bean/ RGJ

The apartment-style housing options range from studios to four-bedroom apartments. University employees will staff entrances and residence advisers will live in both complexes.

Both properties are still under construction but expected to be open in time for the fall semester.

UNR said students can request housing choices in a supplemental application.

Provided to the RGJ

Despite both complexes having kitchens, UNR said all first-year students who are under 21 must purchase meal plans for both the fall and spring semesters. Dining plans range in price from $2,400 a semester to $3,000 a semester.

UNR said in a release, "This policy is in place to ensure students can focus on their academic pursuits. Having a meal plan eliminates the need for shopping, cooking and cleaning up after meals."