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The university said at the time it had no involvement in the sale; on Wednesday, it would say only that it will operate the residence under a long-term lease with the current owner.

Michel Guilbeault, the school’s senior director of housing services, said the deal will bring several benefits to the area.

“Having 800 students on Rideau Street is good for the economy of Rideau Street,” said Guilbeault, who also expects the building’s young occupants to become involved in community programs and social causes. Students at a recently opened U of O residence on Friel Street, this one in a converted seniors’ tower and again on a long-term lease, have already contributed 290 volunteer hours to neighbourhood programs, he said.

Those two sites and a 176-place residence being built on Henderson Avenue will allow the school to offer accommodation to all first-year students, the group most likely to seek university housing. Private developers are also aiming projects at the city’s ever-increasing student population, sometimes triggering zoning battles. One of the largest is the conversion of a former Holiday Inn on Cooper Street into a 420-bed student building expected to open this spring.

The U of O now is examining whether there is a demand for university-supplied housing for upper-year and graduate students. “‘We’re hoping to have that completed by this summer,” Guilbeault said.

As the student housing supply increases, so does the range of housing types as applicants seek studios, suites and apartment-style accommodation in place of the original dorms with communal showers and other shared facilities. While the old-style housing is the least-popular choice, however, students tend to like it once they’re there.

“The satisfaction level is extremely high,” said Guilbeault. “People get more opportunities to network, to meet new people, and really that’s what the first-year experience is all about.”

Standard to all housing, including the new projects, are a reception desk, security, advisers on every floor, and study groups.

rbostelaar@ottawacitizen.com

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