Students will have yet another housing option on campus as the Madison City Council recently approved a new 11-story condominium project on the 300 block of W. Wilson Street. Five buildings currently located at the site will be replaced with two multi-unit residential buildings, including one tower that will be 11 stories high.

One of the concerns within the City Council was the height of the complex. Because the 300 block of W. Wilson Street is primarily a residential setting, the placement of an 11-story tower brought about some disagreement.

However, Ald. Austin King, District 8, said he looks forward to the construction of the condominiums because of the appealing architecture to be designed by developer Todd McGarth.

“It will be a beautiful addition to the Madison skyline,” King said.

This addition will be located close to Lake Mendota and John Nolen Drive, according to King. The condominiums will not disrupt the view of the Capitol or violate any such regulations regarding the view because the Capitol is significantly taller than the soon-to-be 11-story tower.

King said the condominium complex design will complement the area by offsetting both Lake Mendota and the Capitol.

In addition, King said the building’s overall design was approved by the Urban Design Commission and several city planning committees.

Despite the approval from the City Council, some students are concerned with the building’s construction.

“The thing I have a problem with would be a building blocking the Capitol or interrupting the skyline by looking too commercial and flashy,” said Madison native and UW student Talia Esser.

Other students see the addition of an 11-story condominium tower as just another addition to the numerous tall buildings on campus, such as residence dormitories and downtown-area offices.

“As a student living in the dorms on campus, I don’t feel that construction of another 11-story building is that big of an issue,” UW freshman Ali Butler said. “If the building is blocking another important structure in the skyline, like the Capitol, then maybe it should be lowered or limited, but in the end I don’t see it as a problem.”

Despite the issues of height, one of the more important concerns behind the construction of the apartments has been the need to provide affordable housing within the downtown area.

“Issues like affordable housing and availability are always important for the city to look into, especially when it affects students who live here and may live here after they graduate,” Esser said.

Debra Mickelson from Wilson Bay Apartments said housing on the Madison lakefronts has created a new desire in young people to move from New York and Chicago into the downtown Madison area.

“We see a lot of people coming back to the downtown area,” Mickelson said.

According to Mickelson, the addition of the 11-story condominiums will add to the competition already existing between numerous apartment buildings throughout Wilson Street.