Developer and contractor break ground on University of Wisconsin-Madison student housing complex

Developer Subtext and Stevens Construction Corp. say they have broken ground on a 12-story, 142-unit student housing community within walking distance to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. VERVE Madison is expected to be completed and open for leasing in fall 2024, the developers say.

Architect ESG designed the 19,000 sq. ft. project with several amenities including a rooftop pool and sun shelf, autdoor terrace with a fire table, grilling area, study areas and TVs, 24/7 fitness center and sauna, coffee bar, large group study lounge, private study room, fully stocked micro market, ground-level dog walk and a pet spa

“With record breaking enrollment and shortage of highly amenitized housing near campus, we saw an opportunity to bring a VERVE project to Madison, giving students a community for both academic success and lifelong memories,” Brandt Stiles, founder and CEO of St. Louis, MO-based Subtext, said in a Dec. 14 statement.

This new development comes as UW–Madison fall enrollment reflects strong growth and ongoing commitment to Wisconsin families with nearly 5,700 in-state students. This fall, total enrollment reached a record-setting 49,886 students – exceeding last year’s 47,932 students.

“Contributing to the communities we love, live and work in is an incredible honor,” said Stevens Construction CEO and president Mark Rudnicki. “Partnering with Subtext and ESG to build a student living community that focuses on the well-being of its inhabitants is something we are very proud to be a part of.”

Subtext recently broke ground on VERVE West Lafayette, a seven-story student housing community just two blocks from Purdue University campus, and completed LOCAL Boise, a seven-story multifamily building in downtown Boise, Idaho. Stevens recently completed the NoVo Apartments mixed-use building in downtown Madison and, in addition to the Verve Madison, is currently building three more multifamily communities near the UW-Madison campus.