The Varsity

Located one block from the University of Michigan campus and the bustling State Street college town environment, The Varsity at Ann Arbor is conveniently located near UM’s academic core and variety of venues and activities.

Given the building’s urban context, great importance was placed on the pedestrian experience and the building’s details. The surrounding streetscape ranges from urban to suburban, and the design is sensitive to the scale and character of the surrounding historic homes, churches, and larger commercial structures. In addition to these sensitivities, our project team was equally cognizant of the neighborhood’s pedestrian circulation.

The Varsity’s Z-shaped footprint was conceived to form an entry plaza that orients southeast toward the University campus. An east-facing, 2-story wall of glass looks out onto the entry plaza and reveals a dramatic double-height lobby and fitness center.

Through setbacks and material changes, the buildings massing responds to both the lower scale of the adjacent historic buildings and the taller scale of the neighborhood’s high-rise apartment buildings. The overall form and composition of the project is the combination of a pedestrian-scaled, 2-story, limestone colored base and a city-scaled, copper/orange masonry tower. The simplicity of the tower’s masonry walls are juxtaposed by a grand, 11-story, textured grey metal wall that floats away from the masonry walls and folds over and above the rooftop sky lounge. The “folded metal plane” element, the project’s defining architectural feature, adds a unique level of architectural sophistication that is not found within the Ann Arbor marketplace.

Based on extensive market research, the units are mostly studio, 1-, and 2-bedrooms, with a few 4-bedroom apartments. This decision of mostly smaller units with bed/bath parity and a strong amenity package makes The Varsity a premier living experience in Ann Arbor. The Varsity’s amenities include a fitness center, computer lab and printing services, group study rooms, and a parking garage. The rooftop sky lounge provides captivating views across the UM campus.