Fort Washington, Pennsylvania-based design firm Mary Cook Associates completed the interiors of a new student housing community in South Bend.
The 87 is an 810-bed community near the University of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College and St. Mary’s College. Developed by Chicago-based Toll Brothers Campus Living, the building welcomed its first residents in fall 2024.
Mary Cook Associates designed amenities and common areas that celebrate Notre Dame and meet student needs. The interiors are designed to prioritize student wellness and productivity.
“Notre Dame’s rich heritage and traditions provided us with an incredible palette of inspiration for The 87,” said Mary Cook, founder and president, in a press release. “The result is an experiential design that merges nostalgia with sophistication, paying homage to Notre Dame’s historic and cultural significance while at the same time creating a relevant and vibrant environment for today’s students.”
The 87 is on the former site of the Turtle Creek and Campus View apartments. The building spans 431,000 square feet and features one- to four-bedroom apartments and townhome units. Amenities include a fitness center, social and study lounges, gaming areas, a coffee bar and meeting rooms. It also features courtyards with grilling stations, fire pits, yard games, outdoor TVs and hammocks.
“That diversity and multifunctionality of spaces ensures students feel supported and connected in every part of their academic and personal lives, fostering mental and emotional well-being,” Cook said.
The 87 marks the design firm’s third collaboration with Toll Brothers Campus Living on student housing interiors. They have developed student housing communities near Arizona State University and Florida International University.
Established in 1986, Mary Cook Associates is an interior architecture and design firm. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants and hospitality environments. Mary Cook Associates’ team includes more than two dozen designers and architects.
