New residence hall open in downtown Wilmington

August 23rd 2012

More than 150 students at the Delaware College of Art and Design are living in downtown Wilmington for the 2012-2013 school year. The fall semester began Monday, August 27, and students arrived throughout the weekend for move-in as well as welcome activities.

Saturday, August 25, DCAD’s new students moved into a brand new residence hall at 707 N. King Street. The new residence hall, formerly the Brandywine Suites Hotel, features 46 rooms that will accommodate 85 students. Rooms are studio-style with designated study space and bedrooms as well as private bathrooms and a separate sink and counter space. The first floor features new office and meeting spaces, and a laundry facility which will be free to residents. Lounge areas are located throughout the building, set for studying, club meetings and social functions.

DCAD will also open a new dining hall and offer a student meal plan, something the College has never had up to this point. The dining services will be run by CulinArt, Inc., which specializes in customized dining services in the education sector, among others. DCAD students will have a vast selection of meal options each day, and CulinArt strives to include local ingredients in its menus.

Students and the DCAD community will utilize the King Street entrance while retail space has been created on the Market Street side. Later this fall, there are plans for a nationally-known art supply store to open.

In previous years, first-year students have lived in The Saville, which DCAD has owned since 2008, and the College has then leased additional living space from downtown property owners for second-year students. The new Residence Hall allows for each class of students to be housed in its own building, allowing for a greater sense of community among students and a safer living environment.

Second-year students moved into The Saville at 521 N. King Street on Sunday, August 26.

The building at 707 N. King Street was purchased by DCAD in November 2011 at Sheriff’s Sale. Buccini/Pollin began renovations in January. Funding for the $4.2 million project was acquired through ING Direct and M&T Bank, and the City of Wilmington provided a $500,000 loan from the City’s Capital Budget.

A grand opening and ribbon cutting at 707 N. King Street has been set for Thursday, September 20, 2012, at 5 p.m.