The company behind a new rental apartment on Thompson Rivers University campus is calling the diversity of tenants a pleasant surprise.

Vice president of the Kelson Group Jason Fawcett says only 60 per cent of the 77 units in its new building are occupied by TRU students.

Fawcett says there are young families, professionals, professors and a good number of seniors as well.

“We have a number of retirees, I think there are six apartments that are occupied by people who are seniors. I think one couple is in their late-eighties. But they’ve decided to make this their home and we’re very happy to have them,” Fawcett tells NL News.

“We didn’t know 100 per cent if the rest of the community would want to live on the university, but we’re pleasantly surprised that there is a mix, and it’s not just all students. And it just makes for a better community.”

Legacy Square opened to tenants in October.

It’s the first of four market housing buildings to open that are being built on TRU campus, in a new neighborhood called The Reach.

“We wanted to bring a diversity of people to The Reach and I think we’ve achieved that. And I think it’s great for the long-term viability for the university to have this selection of people living here,” Fawcett says.

The Kelson Group is also building a 42-unit five-storey rental apartment in The Reach, as well as a for-sale condo building with 40 units. Both are expected to be open by next April according to the Kelson Group.

Fawcett couldn’t estimate what the total investment is that the Kelson Group is making in the three buildings, other to say it’s in the millions of dollars.

A fourth building at The Reach, called Creston House, will have 60 for-sale condos.