In February, Castleton announced plans to open a two-floor, efficient living space that could become a model for others in the heart of downtown Rutland.

“Working with Mark Foley, Jr. and Green Mountain Power, we created a highly sustainable home for 40 students, and turned space that has been empty for decades into a prototype for downtown redevelopment and energy innovation,” Castleton President Dave Wolk said. “We see this as an exciting addition to our current housing options, to Castleton’s Rutland presence, and to the Solar Capital of New England and Energy City of the Future.”

The student housing is the latest in the university’s ongoing expansion into Rutland, which already hosts Castleton Downtown, the Castleton Polling Institute, the Castleton Center for Community Engagement, Spartan Arena, and several downtown art spaces including the Castleton Downtown Gallery. A recent partnership with the Rutland Economic Development Corporation has further solidified Castleton’s commitment to being an economic and intellectual driver in the region.

The project opened in time for 39 graduate and upper-level undergraduate students to move in prior to the start of the fall semester; an impressive six-month turnaround from conception to completion.

Castleton worked with Green Mountain Power, Efficiency Vermont, and Foley to determine how to best use high-tech energy innovations in the space located on the second and third floors of the Clement Building, which sits at the northeast corner of West Street and Merchants Row.

At the grand opening celebration held on September 15, President Wolk announced that the housing would be named for the Foley family, longtime Rutland business leaders and philanthropists.