Who This Residence Suits
Foundry Lofts is a mid-to-upper-range student apartment building located in central Ann Arbor, within walking distance of the University of Michigan‑Ann Arbor campus. The property targets students who prioritise on-site amenities, modern furnishings, and a central location, and who are willing to pay above the city’s baseline for a more curated living experience.
The residence works well for:
- Students who want a short lease – the minimum lease term is 3 months, which is shorter than many traditional student housing options in Ann Arbor (typically 12 months). This makes Foundry Lofts a viable choice for summer interns, exchange students, or anyone needing flexible move‑in/out dates.
- Those who value gym and laundry facilities on site – the property includes a gym and laundry facilities. For students who prefer not to rely on off‑site laundromats or campus gyms, this is a practical feature.
- People who want a furnished unit – based on resident reviews, the apartments come with “nice furniture”. This saves the hassle of buying and moving furniture for a temporary stay.
- Groups looking for larger floor plans – the building offers 4‑bedroom (4b) units, which are less common in the immediate downtown area. If you’re planning to live with three other people, Foundry Lofts provides a shared‑living layout with separate bedrooms and common areas.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Several data points and resident accounts suggest that Foundry Lofts may not be the right fit for:
- Budget‑conscious renters – the starting price is 949 USD/month, which is 30% higher than the city’s overall from‑price of 729 USD/month. If you are trying to minimise rent, you will find cheaper options elsewhere in Ann Arbor (e.g., older buildings, further from campus, or without amenities).
- Students who need reliable management and clear cost transparency – two out of three Google reviews (out of 555 total) report serious issues with management responsiveness, hidden fees, and broken promises on room assignments. The building’s Google rating is 4.2, but the sample of reviews available is mixed, with two 1‑star accounts describing “lots of extra costs” and “rude” managers. If you are risk‑averse or need consistent communication, you may want to vet the current management team carefully.
- Those who need a private studio at the lowest possible price – while Foundry Lofts does offer studio units, its starting price for any unit type is 949 USD. The city has properties starting at 729 USD for comparable private rooms (though not necessarily studios). If a studio is your goal and budget is tight, you may find a better deal by expanding your search to other buildings.
What Residents Actually Say
Below are verbatim quotes from three Google reviews (source: Amber platform data, captured as of 2026‑07). The reviews reflect two negative experiences and one highly positive one.
Negative review 1 (rated 1/5):
“Got a summer sublease for this place. Do not plan your budget by looking at your housing contract because they add lots of extra costs on top of that. Managers are hard to get in touch and deal with. They don’t try to solve your problems, are very rude, and offer very offensive suggestions. If you are looking for fall ” — T6eva8
Negative review 2 (rated 1/5):
“Total rip off of a place. They allured us into signing the lease ASAP and promised a bigger room, and when the time came, a month before, assigned us the smallest room possible, with a blocking concrete pillar in the corner. NO way to get a hold of their housing team, no adjustment. Please pay a few extra dollars and g” — Vinie Sidhu
Positive review (rated 5/5):
“Jessica & Andre spent a lot of time showing us around Foundry Lofts. They both went above and beyond what other managers did at previous showings at other Ann Arbor MI apartments. The apartments were clean, amenities amazing, nice furniture, studio was spacious and floor plan the best we have viewed. Because of the att” — Vil Kuttner
The stark contrast between the 1‑star and 5‑star reviews suggests that individual staff members and the timing of your interaction can significantly change the experience. If you are interested, it may be wise to request a specific unit assignment in writing and ask for a full breakdown of all possible fees before signing.
Price Positioning and Room Types
Foundry Lofts offers five unit types: studio, 1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom, 3‑bedroom, and 4‑bedroom. The rent ranges from 949 USD/month to 2,525 USD/month (indicative — confirm with the operator). A security deposit of 300 USD applies.
To put this in perspective: the lowest‑priced student housing option in Ann Arbor (across all properties tracked) starts at 729 USD/month. Foundry Lofts’ cheapest unit is therefore 220 USD/month more expensive than the city floor. For a studio or 1‑bedroom, the premium may be partly justified by the central location, furniture, and gym/laundry. However, for shared units (e.g., 4‑bedroom), the per‑person cost also starts at roughly 949 USD (assuming the cheapest room in a 4‑bedroom), which is higher than many older shared houses near campus.
Room‑type guidance:
- Studio: if you value a completely private space with an open floor plan, this is the best bet among the options. One reviewer described the studio as “spacious”.
- 1‑bedroom: similar to a studio but with a separate bedroom. Good for a single occupant who wants separate sleeping and living areas.
- 2‑bedroom, 3‑bedroom, 4‑bedroom: designed for groups. The 4‑bedroom is an uncommon configuration downtown, so if you have three friends, this building may be one of few choices. Note the risk mentioned in reviews about room size discrepancies.
All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. The deposit is 300 USD. Lease terms start at 3 months. The earliest availability is 22 August 2026.
Booking Timing
Given the mixed reviews and the building’s popularity (555 Google reviews, 4.2‑star average), units may be booked quickly for the fall intake. The available‑from date is 22 August 2026, which aligns with the University of Michigan’s fall semester start. If you plan to move in then, start your inquiry by early 2026 to secure your preferred unit type and floor plan. For summer subleases (June–August), the 3‑month minimum lease is attractive, but be extra cautious about additional costs — as the negative review warns, “lots of extra costs” may appear after the contract is signed.
Request a written list of all fees (utilities, admin fees, parking if needed) before you commit. Also ask for the exact dimensions of the room you will be assigned (not just the floor plan number) to avoid the “smallest room possible” scenario.
FAQ
H3: Can I get a 12‑month lease at Foundry Lofts?
No — the minimum lease term is 3 months, and the property does not appear to advertise 12‑month leases as a standard option. However, many student housing properties in Ann Arbor offer 12‑month terms. If you need a full academic year lease, you may need to look at other buildings where 12‑month contracts are the norm.
H3: Are utilities included in the listed rent of 949 USD/month?
The data provided does not specify whether utilities are included. The 1‑star review mentions “lots of extra costs on top of” the housing contract, which suggests that some utilities or admin fees are charged separately. You must verify this with the operator before signing. Ask for a complete cost breakdown.
H3: How far is Foundry Lofts from the University of Michigan campus?
The address is 48104, central Ann Arbor. While exact walking time depends on your destination on campus, most central Ann Arbor apartments are within a 10–15 minute walk to the central campus diag. Use a mapping service to confirm the walking distance to your specific building.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
All prices mentioned in this article are indicative and must be confirmed with the building’s management. Ratings and reviews are sourced from public Google reviews captured on the referenced month.
For live availability and to verify current terms, you can use the on‑site assistant on the property page.
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