Two houses in disrepair motivated a local property owner to demolish them and build an apartment complex.

Larry Ankenbrand, owner of the property on the southeast corner of Ninth Street and Grant Avenue, across the street from the Burl Ives Art Studio, said students who rented the homes greatly damaged the 50-year-old houses.

He said two years ago, students threw kegs and concrete blocks at windows, and used golf clubs to damage the walls.

Ankenbrand said he was losing money because of constant repairs.

“The kids tore them up so terribly that I couldn’t make repairs,” he said.

The houses were demolished in late July and construction on the eight, two-bedroom apartment complex began.

Ankenbrand said the complex should be ready for occupation Jan. 1, 2010, adding that most students will probably rent the new complex for next fall.

Rent for one apartment will be $800 total or $400 per person, with the lease lasting 12 months.

Each apartment will include one bathroom, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a microwave, and a refrigerator.

Ankenbrand said students would have to supply their own bed.

He said the complex would be energy efficient, including central air and heat.

Recently, developers have built a bevy of new apartment complexes near campus.

The Melrose on Fourth complex, which features two-bedroom apartments, opened last year. Campus View Suites, located on Fourth Street and Grant Avenue, and a new Unique Homes complex, located on south Eight Street, opened this year.

Ankenbrand said students would be attracted to the complex because of its close distance to campus and reasonable rent.

“I wanted something that would be nice,” he said.

Ankenbrand said he would start advertising by the end of September or mid-October. He said Luxury Homes, the builder of the complex, has already contacted him about students interested in the new housing complex.

“I’ll be getting signs up,” Ankenbrand said. “Students can check-in, if they want to.”

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or at sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.