Housing demands grow and University of Alabama students want to live in ‘The Box'

Yahoo

22-05-2025

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) – New developments address the demands of an ever-growing University of Alabama student population.
UA had a record-breaking fall 2024 enrollment, and realtors expect the same trend, as well as the challenges that accompany it, this semester.
'You can ask anybody, around October things are already almost all filled for the next school year,' Tuscaloosa Realtor Madison Moore said. 'Which is just crazy.'
Moore is a UA graduate. During her time at UA, it was a challenge to find off-student housing. Now as a realtor she sees that the increasing student population creates a need for more development. But they want to move into a very specific area.
'Students love living in 'The Box,'' Tuscaloosa Realtor Alice Maxwell said.
'The Box' comprises of an area that stretches from Queen City Avenue, down to Hotel Capstone and up to the train tracks on Hackberry Lane.
'It's just so convenient to everything they want to do,' Maxwell explained.
If you live in 'The Box,' you're walking distance away from Bryant Denny Stadium, Coleman Coliseum, The Strip and everything in between. That can make student living easy, but finding an available lease is not. There's high demand, high enrollment and not enough property.
For a developer, finding available land can be just as challenging. But prime real estate in the area has opened up.
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'We wanted the location, and this came available, and it fit the mold,' William Blakeney said.
Blakeney owns William Blakeney Building Company, a Tuscaloosa-based company that specializes in a multitude of construction projects, including residential.
In December, he began building a high-end triplex off of Paul W. Bryant Drive near Frank Thomas Avenue. It's three floors, with each floor being its own unit. The building's white brick placed against the black windowpanes and beams create a classic modern feel.
'We also wanted the outdoor living, so we did these outdoor wrap-around porches, wrap-around balcony with grills,' Blakeney said.
The elevated triplex is meant to attract sports fans, students and their families. The location is another big selling point.
'That was the most important thing we were looking for, walkability,' William Blakeney said. 'It's great for game days or walking to class.'
Given UA's enrollment numbers continue to climb annually, Blakeney's goal is to hand over keys before classes begin.
'We know the deadline,' Blakeney said. 'August 1 is an always huge date for us, and we always hit them.'
Units are already up for grabs, and down the street another developer has broken ground. Next year, residents can expect to find elevated townhomes on Paul W. Bryant Drive near Jackie's lounge.
'I think the more development we can have down there, the better.' Moore said. 'It will create more opportunities for Tuscaloosa and the University to grow.'
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