A ‘Discovery’ for Graduate Students

A six-story apartment building nearing completion on the University of Maryland campus unlocks a convenient new living option for 741 graduate students, as well as an opportunity for them to collaborate across disciplines in a scholarly community.

Discovery House, located adjacent to the Discovery District and within walking distance of the College Park Metro Station and a Purple Line stop, is the first UMD-affiliated housing for graduate students since Graduate Hills and Gardens in 1995. Built by Mosaic Development Partners, it offers fully furnished apartments ranging from studios to five-bedroom units; all have an in-unit washer and dryer. 

The building also provides study rooms and indoor bike storage, and a top-floor terrace boasts views of Fraternity Row and Memorial Chapel. All utility costs are included in the rent.

“You bring a shower curtain, sheets for your bed, kitchen stuff and you’re ready to go,” said Christopher Mason, Capstone On-Campus Management’s director of affiliated housing at UMD. “The thought was, let’s make it as easy as possible.”

Aug. 12 is the official move-in day for new residents of Discovery House; leases are still available.

Discovery House is also home to the Grand Challenges Graduate Communities, a first-of-its-kind initiative at UMD to reimagine how graduate students and faculty can work together to solve pressing societal problems. The three inaugural interdisciplinary academic cohorts, each with 15 to 20 students, will focus on AI and knowledge; food, water, energy and health; and the future of city planning.

“Graduate students will gain access to mentors, collaborators and professional opportunities they may not otherwise have encountered,” said Stephen Roth, associate provost and dean of The Graduate School.

Here, Maryland Today takes a tour of the new digs at Discovery House.