A conceptual rendering of an outdoor courtyard located between the multistory buildings that are under construction as faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District. This housing is part of the district’s first phase of development. Click on the image for a full view. Graphic courtesy of Radnor Property Group
The Innovation District’s faculty and staff housing is one of several major construction projects underway at Appalachian State University to enhance the App State Experience.
The project supports App State’s strategic priorities, as well as the university’s goals and metrics associated with the University of North Carolina System’s strategic plan. It will benefit faculty and staff, as well as academics.
About
The 156 faculty and staff housing units under construction at App State’s Innovation District are part of the first phase of development for the project. Innovation Ridge, managed by Capstone On-Campus Management and Radnor Property Group, consists of one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations in five multistory buildings. These units will help meet App State employees’ housing needs amid housing scarcity and cost inflation in Boone.
App State’s Innovation District initiative will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with the communities throughout the region, extending the university’s mission of teaching, research and service, preparing the workforce of today and building the workforce of tomorrow. The project is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the entire region, broadening economic development opportunities across Northwestern North Carolina. Learn more about App State’s Innovation District project.
This conceptual rendering depicts what the Phase 1 components of App State’s Innovation District might look like, once completed. The control building for the district’s energy system is displayed at left. Solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies will power the district’s energy system. The STEM Academic Building, at right, is shown at full scope; construction of the initial phase of the facility began in April 2025. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent
A conceptual rendering of an outdoor courtyard located between the multistory buildings that are under construction as faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District. This housing is part of the district’s first phase of development. Graphic courtesy of Radnor Property Group
This artist’s rendering depicts the leasing office for faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District — part of the district’s Phase 1 development. Graphic courtesy of Radnor Property Group
This artist's rendering depicts a design concept for faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District, as part of the project's Phase 1 development. Image courtesy of Radnor Property Group
Status
Construction of the Innovation District’s faculty and staff housing facilities is underway, with two of the buildings slated for occupancy in fall 2025. Phase 1 construction work at the district site began in late July 2023, with the installation of erosion control fences and the removal of trees.
Additionally, workers have installed an underground geothermal heating and cooling system, along with two new wind turbines and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, as part of the Innovation District’s energy system. These initial components of the energy system are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of June 2025. Foundation work for the district’s STEM Academic Building began in late April 2025 and is ongoing.
In January 2023, App State received the University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ approval to enter into a ground lease with nonprofit corporation Beyond Owners Group, which is developing the multifamily, multistory residential units through it partner firms.
App State ceremoniously broke ground on the first phase of development for the Innovation District — beginning with the STEM Academic Building — on March 25, 2022.
How is it funded?
The district’s faculty and staff housing is supported through a public-private partnership (P3) that does not rely upon state funds, or any capital from the university.
App State has entered into a P3 agreement with Radnor Property Group and Harrison Street for the housing development. Under this partnership, Radnor and Harrison Street are financing the housing project, and financing will be delivered under a 501c3 ownership structure to enhance affordability.
Who will benefit?
App State faculty and staff will benefit from this project by having access to housing options that are located within convenient proximity of Boone campus facilities, including the other components of App State’s Innovation District.
How does it support App State strategic priorities?
The development of faculty and staff housing at the Innovation District aligns with App State’s strategic priority of Investing in Faculty and Staff Excellence, part of the university’s 2022–2027 strategic plan. Under this priority, App State is committed to dedicating and ensuring ongoing resources for the recruitment, retention and support of exceptionally talented faculty and staff.
How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?
The new faculty and staff housing units are expected to positively impact App State’s ability to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff, which supports the following University of North Carolina System strategic goals:
- Student success — having talented faculty and staff in place ensures App State can provide students with a high-quality education and an App State Experience that prepares them to succeed, in and beyond the classroom.
- Fostering excellent and diverse institutions — a System goal that includes improving the employee experience as well as faculty and staff retention.
- Campus Construction Projects
- State Funding Support
- Master Plan
- Glossary
- Parking and Transportation Messages
Major current projects:
Major completed projects:
- Holmes Drive Parking Deck
- Dining Facilities Renovations — Central Dining Hall and Trivette Hall
- University Bookstore Renovation
- Residence Halls
- Child Development Center Expansion
- Kidd Brewer Stadium — North End Zone
- Career Development Center relocation
- Sanford Hall Renovation
- Blue Ridge Way
- NPHC Plots and Garden
- Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences
- Founders Plaza
An aerial view of areas receiving millennial campus designation at Appalachian State University. Video by Marie Freeman