Mesa, Ariz.  —  Inland American Communities, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc., has broken ground on the first phase of its newest on-campus project, Innovation Academic Village, on Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus in Mesa, Ariz. The student housing community and dining facility will be located adjacent to the campus core, a newly constructed student recreation center and recreational sports fields. The $13.5 million housing project is scheduled to open for the fall 2012 semester.

The housing facility will consist of 318 suite-style beds in an 85,000-square-foot, three-story structure, on property ground leased from ASU. The project will ultimately provide housing for 1,200 students and offer generous amenities, including common areas with multipurpose spaces, student lounges, various study and collaboration areas and a full-use kitchen. The facility is fully integrated with ASU’s on-campus data and cable TV infrastructure.

Phase I also includes the development of a new $8 million, 20,000-square-foot dining facility, with seating capacity of 350. The facility will also include a coffee shop, grocery/convenience store and the Devils’ Den, a student oriented multimedia lounge. Upon completion, the dining facility will be owned by ASU, and Aramark will operate and manage it for the University.