The completed exterior of the building at 55 South Pleasant Street in Amherst, as of September 8, 2025.
This new five‑story apartment building rises behind the historic A.J. Hastings storefront, now home to the Amherst College Store. It blends modern residential architecture with downtown’s nineteenth‑century streetscape and features a covered pedestrian arcade, benches, bike racks, and plantings to enhance walkability.
The design was created by Kuhn Riddle Architects, with Roberts Group as the builder, and was scheduled for completion in August 2025 ahead of the start of the Dall semester.
The project includes 22 apartment units, totaling 63 beds, fully leased to Amherst College as student residences, officially known as the Hastings Apartments. The building includes doubles, triples, and four-person suites, plus common amenities like a kitchen, living areas, bike storage, centralized trash, and an elevator.
There is also an apartment for a live‑in professional staff member and two units designated for non-traditional or graduate students.
Town officials and residents raised concerns during Planning Board hearings that converting the entire building into student housing limits downtown residential opportunities and might stretch zoning definitions.
Critics argued that a downtown development could better serve year-round residents, such as young families or faculty. Planning Board members and residents questioned whether the project, though labeled “mixed‑use,” effectively functions as a dormitory in a commercial zone.
