Stratus Development has started construction on the second phase of Puritan Mill, a student housing community located near the University of Georgia campus in Athens. The new phase is planned to deliver 411 student housing beds, expanding the project that first opened with Puritan Mill I in 2023. The addition continues the build-out of a purpose-built student community positioned to serve demand from students seeking housing close to campus.
Phase II will introduce a mix of townhome-style residences in two-, three- and four-bedroom configurations. This layout is designed to accommodate a range of roommate and lifestyle preferences among student residents. The new phase is expected to share and enhance amenity offerings with the existing first phase, creating a more expansive and integrated residential environment across the full Puritan Mill development.
Planned amenities for the latest phase include a dog park, nature trails and pickleball courts, as well as shuttle service that will connect residents directly to the nearby university campus. These additions will complement the amenities already in place at Puritan Mill I, where residents have access to a second dog park, a fitness center, a clubhouse, study and meeting rooms and a resort-style pool. Together, these features are intended to provide a comprehensive student living experience within a single master-planned community.
The overall development places a strong emphasis on reusing and highlighting elements of the historic mill site on which it is located. Stratus has preserved the property’s historic water tower, which now serves as a visual focal point and centerpiece for the community. In addition, the former mill pond and its accompanying waterfall have been retained and integrated into the site plan, creating prominent landscape and placemaking features for residents and guests.
By integrating new-build student housing with preserved industrial-era structures and natural water features, the project blends contemporary residential design with the character of the original mill environment. The combination of new townhomes, shared amenities and historic elements is intended to differentiate Puritan Mill within the local student housing market. According to the current development timeline, the second phase of Puritan Mill is scheduled for completion in fall 2027, extending the project’s delivery pipeline several years beyond the initial 2023 opening of Phase I.
