New Apartments, Bought from Former College, Listed on 2026-2027 Housing Application
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 22
By Lucienne Burns | February 16, 2026
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY-- Last November, the University at Albany announced its intent to purchase the former Centennial Hall on the old College of Saint Rose campus. Only three months later, a new option was presented for UAlbany students to choose on the 2026-2027 Housing Application form: The Great Dane Apartments.
Unlike other current University Apartments offerings, the Great Dane Apartments provide a unique option for undergraduate students: apartment-style living and campus amenities not located on the university’s uptown campus. The Great Dane Apartments instead are located at 930 Madison Avenue, closer to UAlbany’s downtown campus.
The complex, which can house approximately 200 students across its three floors, was newly added to the application with the other University Apartments, made up of Empire Commons, Liberty Terrace and Freedom Apartments.
While the now Great Dane Apartments are not located on UAlbany's main campus, they were previously located directly on the College of Saint Rose’s campus. Constructed in 2012, the apartments housed years of students prior to the college’s closure in 2024.
Some of the building's former Saint Rose residents expressed fond memories of their time there. Among the residents was Jenna Ellison, a recent graduate of SUNY Cortland who majored in communication sciences and disorders.
“My time in Centennial Hall was short and bittersweet,” Ellison said. “ I was in my sophomore year when I lived there, and I made the most amazing memories.”
According to Residential Life, the new apartments are complete with amenities and accessible transportation, and additionally a parking lot located behind the building for students who have cars.
“Great Dane Apartments will have convenient transportation via the adjacent CDTA bus stop and will enjoy amenities including air conditioning, full kitchens, elevator access and laundry on each floor,” said Brittany Tomlin, the associate director of Residential Life.
The new complex joins The University Apartments group, which accounts for around 30% of the approximately 7,000 students living in on-campus housing at the start of each academic year, according to Residential Life. Pricing for the University Apartments, including its new addition, can be found here.
On-campus housing has historically seen strong demand and high capacity at UAlbany, with apartment-style options proving to be of high interest among students.
According to a university press release and university officials, this purchase will accommodate the demand and expand housing availability for students.
“In Fall 2024 more than half of UAlbany’s undergraduates lived in campus housing, and demand has exceeded 100% capacity for the past two years,” said Amy Geduldig, the director of public information at UAlbany. “There is a high level of interest for apartment-style living on campus. For reference, Empire Commons is in high-demand and always at capacity.”
In previous years, in times of high capacity, the university has utilized dormitories such as Alumni Quad, initially placing students there and then moving them mid-year to the main campus when space became available.
Students that are eligible to select Great Dane Apartments-- sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students-- can self-select housing once their designated selection date and time begins, beginning on Feb. 17 and ending on March 6. According to Residential Life, the complex will host an expectedly competitive selection.
“With over 200 beds and strong interest based on housing applications so far, we anticipate it may fill quickly,” said Tomlin. “Students should select as early as they or their requested apartmentmates are eligible to select.”
Abagail Dowen, a junior adolescent education and English major at UAlbany, also lived in Centennial Hall.
“I loved living in Centennial, it was the perfect ‘pre-apartment’ living, getting the experience of the freedom of taking care of your own apartment while still having the safety of campus living to support you,” Dowen said. “I hope with it now being owned by UAlbany, the building can be taken care of and students in future classes will get to share that same experience of community within the building.”
The building's former residents spoke highly of their time living there. Despite the challenges they faced with their school's closure, they still wished that UAlbany students can share this sentiment and enjoy the living area as they once did.
“As devastating as the closure of Saint Rose was for me, I am so glad that the students of UAlbany will be able to call this place home,” Ellison said. “I hope everyone who lives there feels the love that the Saint Rose students put into that building.”
