Columbia University Opens New Apartment Building at 600 W. 125th Street

October 03, 2024

Columbia University has opened the doors at 600 W. 125th Street, a new 34-story apartment building for graduate students and faculty members on the southwest corner of 125th Street and Broadway. The building’s first 15 floors have been completed and opened to residents this fall while construction progresses on the upper floors.

Graduate students in Manhattanville campus-based programs were invited to be among the first residents in the building, with upper floors opening to Manhattanville campus-based faculty and post-doctoral students upon completion, anticipated for early 2025.

Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop with CetraRuddy Architecture as the Executive Architect, 600 W. 125th Street is comprised of approximately 182,000 square feet and includes 142 apartments – the largest residential building Columbia has ever built. Mirroring the design principles of Columbia’s Manhattanville campus across the street, the building was constructed to include a ground floor retail space, transparent storefront façade that promotes safety and connectivity at the urban layer, and a slender building volume that provides for light and air with its generous setbacks.

The building’s design also emphasizes the resident experience with its thoughtful layout and features. Intended to foster resident connection, wellness, and collaboration, 600 W. 125th Street features a host of amenities residents can enjoy, including community terraces, lounges, exercise and yoga rooms, game room, children’s playroom, and bicycle storage. On the ground level, returning lessee, McDonald’s, will be occupying the 5,000 square foot retail space.

In line with Columbia’s commitment to sustainability, 600 W. 125th Street is currently tracking LEED® Gold certification, similar to other new buildings constructed at the Manhattanville campus. Among its sustainable design and construction features are a high-performance façade, energy-efficient systems, limited gas usage for long-term carbon emissions reductions, vegetated roofs, stormwater detention, and more.

600 W. 125th Street has also earned Fitwel’s prestigious three-star rating – Fitwel’s highest standard – in recognition of its design, construction, and sustainability principles as well as for its commitment to resident health and well-being. Some criteria that helped 600 W. 125th Street to achieve its three-star rating include having a dedicated fitness room; access to a full-service grocery store, crop share or other fresh produce delivery programs; views of nature from common spaces; and being located within a half mile of a transit stop.

For more information on the building, visit the 600 W. 125th Street building profile on the Columbia Residential website.