Rose Towers
Rose Towers (officially the Tommye Stewart Rose Tower) was 13-story residence hall for freshmen students located at 140 Hackberry Lane on the campus of the University of Alabama. The approximately 294,000 square foot structure was completed in 1969, and measured 123 feet to the roof and 130.5 feet to the top of the elevator penthouse.
In May 1966 university announced plans to construct a $3.4 million high-rise dormitory for married students as part of its ten year plan. The facility had become necessary as a result of ever increasing enrollment at the university. In April 1969, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to officially name the new dormitory after the wife of University President Frank Rose, Tommye Stewart Rose. Opening exclusively for married students in the fall of 1969, the tower was actually still under construction when first occupied. This was the case as masonry workers on the tower went on strike in the spring of 1969 resulting in its construction falling behind schedule.
At the time of its opening, Rose Towers contained 300 apartments in its three wings. The 75 one bedroom units rented for $88.50 and 225 two bedroom units for $105 per month for its inaugural year. Unique was its on-site day care center for children of students living in Rose and deli on the first floor.
In 2010 University officials announced the construction of a new $66 million residential complex immediately adjacent to Rose. Additionally, officials indicated that Rose would likely be demolished by 2015 to make way for additional housing units in phase II of the North Bluff Residential Community. After decades of serving upper classmen, in 2011 Alabama administrators made the dormitory freshman-only due to increasing enrollment at the University. The towers were demolished on July 4, 2012.
References
- Staff Reporters (May 29, 1966) "Long-range building goals revealed." p.39 The Tuscaloosa News
- Staff Reporters (April 23, 1969) "2 buildings to be named for Roses." p.8 The Tuscaloosa News
- Baxley, Sandra (April 27, 1969) "Luxury living at Capstone." p.12A The Tuscaloosa News
- Cole, Bob (September 22, 1969) "High rise dwellers lead busy life due to strike." p.1 The Tuscaloosa News
- Jones, Adam (June 17, 2010) "$66 million, 984-bed dorm planned for university." The Tuscaloosa News
- Hulcher, Allie (January 25, 2011) "Rose to house only freshmen." The Crimson White
- "Rose Towers at UA to be demolished beginning July 4." (June 11, 2012) Associated Press
External links
- Rose Towers at the University of Alabama's Housing and Residential Communities
- Rose Towers on Emporis.com