Construction is officially underway on MXWL (pronounced “Maxwell”), a new student housing project designed to meet growing demand at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

The six-story, 277-unit community at 201 East Maxwell Street, between Stone Street and Lexington Avenue, will offer 655 beds and is set to open in time for the fall 2027 semester.

Stavroff Land and Development, based in Ohio, is developing the project with Gilbane Development handling construction. Despite some early hurdles, the project has moved forward after revising its design to better align with the neighborhood’s historic character.

Back in December 2024, the Lexington Urban County Planning Commission delayed final approval, citing concerns that the plans differed too much from the original rezoning request. The developers adjusted the design, reintroducing a facade with alternating surfaces to blend the building with the surrounding Aylesford neighborhood.

Following the revisions, the commission gave the green light in early 2025. Humphreys and Partners, a Dallas-based firm, completed the final design work.

The community’s amenities will give students plenty of reasons to stay close to home, including game-day courtyards, fire pits, grilling stations, outdoor lounges, a fitness center, coworking spaces, a rooftop deck with views of downtown Lexington, and a sauna and Jacuzzi.

Each unit comes fully furnished with private bathrooms, walk-in closets, in-unit washers and dryers, high-speed Internet, and a fully equipped kitchen. Residents will also have access to an underground garage with 140 dedicated parking spaces.

A previous proposal in 2019 to build a taller, 10-story student housing building on the site was rejected by the planning commission over concerns about its scale. The current plan’s six-story design was ultimately accepted as a better fit.

The University of Kentucky’s growing student body continues to fuel demand for new housing options. Enrollment climbed to 36,161 for the 2024-25 academic year, about a 7% increase over the previous year.

Nationally, the student housing market is seeing similar trends. Data from Yardi Matrix shows preleasing rates at Yardi 200 universities reached 79.9% by May for the 2025-2026 school year, up 150 basis points compared to the same time last year.

Once open, MXWL will add to the growing portfolio of student housing options designed to meet modern student needs for convenience, community, and comfort.

The development’s location — steps from campus and within easy reach of downtown Lexington — is expected to make it popular with upperclassmen and graduate students seeking walkable living with premium amenities.

Developers say the project is designed to not only meet housing demand but also respect the architectural character of the Aylesford neighborhood, a historic area near the university.

Nearby businesses and restaurants are likely to benefit from the additional student residents, who bring more foot traffic and economic activity to the area.

Stavroff Land and Development representatives have emphasized their focus on community feedback and design compatibility as key reasons the revised plan succeeded where earlier proposals had failed.

As demand for student housing remains strong across the U.S., MXWL reflects the trend of developers working more closely with local communities to find a balance between growth and neighborhood character.

Originally reported by Dees Stribling in Multi Housing News.