Notre Dame University’s legendary spirit comes to life in The 87, an off-campus apartment community that features 335 apartments and townhomes with 810 beds. Built by Toll Brothers Campus Living®, The 87 offers nine unique housing options, ranging from a 420 square foot studio apartment to a 2,212 square foot townhouse. The community spans five four-story buildings and is situated on 10 acres. A modern, upscale design combined with Notre Dame inspired amenity offerings create a luxury student housing experience that supports academic success and social connection.

The Challenge:

With an end goal of delivering top-of-market solutions reflective of Toll Brothers’ luxury-minded brand, the MCA design team faced unique design challenges early on. Unlike most campus style communities which are housed under one roof, The 87 consists of several buildings, each with its own nuance and smaller scale amenity space. These are connected to a centralized building containing the majority of the amenities that are split across three levels. MCA needed to create a sense of continuity between all of the different spaces even though they are not connected volumetrically.

Another major consideration revolved around Notre Dame’s larger than life sense of history, pride and  character. The team recognized the need to authentically infuse the University’s spirit without replicating an on-campus version of Notre Dame’s student housing. They sought a delicate balance of tapping into the University’s personality for inspiration while maintaining The 87’s off-campus identity.

A modest amenity footprint required MCA designers to make every square foot count with multifunctional, adaptable space. Ample study and gathering spaces needed to be highly functional to support students’ academic needs but also beautiful so residents would want to spend time there to get their socialization needs met.

The MCA Solution:

By tapping into the psychographics of future residents, the MCA team designed for well-rounded, focused, and savvy students who would thrive academically and socially in a highly branded living experience.

Notre Dame’s rich academic and athletic legacies afforded abundant opportunities to foster interaction with the University’s nostalgic past within a relevant, connected, and hip setting. A perfect balance of large group, semi-private, and private spaces provide optimal environments for serious study and fun living.

Attention to detail and creative solutions integrate the best of Notre Dame’s proudest attributes throughout the community. The All-Pro Lounge features a wall collage of vintage athletic equipment ranging from boxing gloves to a fencing helmet. Applied trim on the ceiling mimics the infamous football field end zone graphics – a detail that all Notre Dame fans appreciate. Custom framed, curated black and white historical images from the University, along with vintage postcards, bring Notre Dame’s history to life. A feature display case tells the story of the naming of The 87 and showcases additional historical photos and memorabilia.

The study lounge displays a collection of Notre Dame yearbooks dating back to 1923. The Content Creation Studio is a creator’s dream, featuring floor to ceiling acoustics, strong visual backgrounds, and state-of-the-art podcasting and social media equipment.

Recreational offerings that provide fun downtime and social interaction include a golf lounge which features a basketball pop-a-shot and golf simulator. An impressive 2-story fitness center boasts a collage of vintage Notre Dame pennants and flags highlighting the University’s prestigious athletics.