With vivid colors and a design that blends new and old, the French Quarter Apartments is Vincennes University’s newest and most unique community for VU students.

Nestled along the banks of the Wabash River and designed with inspiration from the New Orleans French Quarter, VU’s French Quarter complements the area’s deep French history and stuns with its bold, bright, and brilliant colors and intricate details.

One of the most recognizable features of the New Orleans French Quarter is the iconic balconies with their detailed railings. VU’s French Quarter has balconies with French Quarter-style railings in addition to a courtyard with a sparkling fountain and walkways flanked with ornate designs.

The 60-unit, 178-bed unfurnished apartment complex on the Vincennes Campus is a vital link to the community. Founded in 1732, Vincennes is Indiana’s first city. Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college. 

Located along a historic avenue, the French Quarter Apartments are within the First and Second street corridor, which connects VU to the Wabash riverfront and the Main Street area of downtown Vincennes. 

Residents of the apartments can see scenic views of the Wabash River as well as the Grouseland mansion, a national historic landmark and former home of VU founder and the ninth United States President William Henry Harrison.

The apartments are a prime location for VU students who want to live on campus and live independently.

VU is offering financial assistance to students who want to make University Housing their home away from home for the 2021-22 academic year. The Residential Opportunity Scholarship is a scholarship for up to $10,000 over two years. It is available to all incoming students and returning students in good standing.

“Life outside of the classroom is just as important for a full VU experience as what students learn in labs and classrooms,” VU Associate Dean for Housing & Residence Life Adam Booher said. "Living in the French Quarter Apartments offers the convenience of living close to classes and campus resources. The French Quarter is a one-of-a-kind property where students can build friendships, connect with campus, and live independently in a completely new complex full of modern amenities and special touches.”

This classic architectural style juxtaposes with hyper-modern buildings such as Updike Hall - Center for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics and Jefferson Student Union.

VU takes pride in the scenic 200-plus acre campus, state-of-the-art technology, and architectural design observed throughout campus.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the French Quarter took place in October 2019, and students moved in before Fall Semester 2020. Phase 2 is nearing completion and should be ready for the 2021 Fall Semester.

Emily Watkins of Attica, Indiana, lived in Clark Hall for 1 ½ years before moving to the French Quarter Apartments.

“To be in college and have this brand-new, three-bedroom apartment is amazing,” she said. “You feel more like an adult being able to pretty much have your own house. The fact that it is covered by financial aid is another great thing."

The unfurnished apartments (2 or 3 or 5 bedrooms) have a shared living space and a full kitchen in addition to private full bathrooms and walk-in closets. The units are equipped with major appliances, including a washing machine, dryer and dishwasher, central air conditioning, heating, and internet. There are plenty of living and storage areas with balconies, patios, bike storage rooms, and ample parking.

Living on campus is a crucial part of the VU experience. VU offers students many extracurricular activities and fun opportunities to get involved in campus life.

Students who live on campus tend to thrive and enjoy higher-quality experiences. Studies show residing on-campus supports learning and student success and can maximize the investment in a college education, according to GreatSchools.org.

Watkins is enrolled in the Homeland Security and Public Safety bachelor’s degree program. She is excited about returning to the French Quarter Apartments before Fall Semester begins.

“The complex is really pretty,” she said. “The really unique style of basing it off the French Quarter is really cool. We had an upstairs apartment, and we had two balconies. It was pretty awesome because we put lights on the railing, and we would all go out and sit on the balcony. We had a lot of fun.”

To explore the French Quarter Apartments and other VU Housing, visit https://www.vinu.edu/housing-and-residential-life/index.html/welcome.

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