(Photo: Daniel Maurer)
A couple of big developments on campus: Marymount Manhattan College has announced that its Cooper Square dorm will open at the end of the month, and NYU has announced that its Coles Sports and Recreation Center won’t be closing till at least the end of the year.
First off, MMC revealed today that its 12-story student residence at 200 East 6th Street — which sprung up after developer Arun Bhatia controversially demolished a historic row house at 35 Cooper Square — will open August 28. The residence will feature amenities such as an outdoor terrace space, a 24-hour study lounge, laundry facilities, bike storage, and a gym. Students will also get discounts at places like Fresh & Co, New York Health & Racquet Club, The Bean, and Kmart.
Cooper Square Residence Hall, as it’s being called, will accommodate 272 students; this year 199 will be MMC students and 73 spots will be contracted out to Cooper Union.
Meanwhile, NYU’s Exec. Vice President for Operations announced last week that its 33-year-old Coles Center — which houses batting cages, a pool, and a variety of sports courts at 181 Mercer Street — will remain in operation through at least November 15, with a specific closure date to be determined.
The school had only been granting memberships through August, but it’s now offering them through the Fall semester. Meanwhile, a replacement fitness center is being readied at the former location of Crunch, at 404 Lafayette Street. When it opens, it’ll offer strength and cardio training as well as classes.
The building that will replace Coles (another source of controversy) is expected to contain new classrooms, rehearsal and performance spaces, student and faculty housing, and new athletic facilities. The architects are expected to present potential design schematics by the end of the year.
