Empire Commons

Welcome to Empire Commons

Empire Commons is home to nearly 1,200 juniors, seniors and graduate students. The apartment complex, located at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Fuller Road, is right on the edge of campus.

The 25 residential buildings are separated into seven clusters (A through G), with 12 apartments and 48 occupants per building. Students live in fully furnished four-bedroom, two-bathroom or four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartments with air conditioning. All bedrooms are singles with full-sized beds.

Housing Managers live on site and serve as a resource for students. There is also a community building with meeting spaces and a fitness center. Outside, enjoy basketball and volleyball courts. Download a campus map.

Take a virtual tour

Two students with a basketball walk through Empire Commons, an apartment complex. The buildings are pink and yellow, with green trees and grass.

Apartment Amenities

Bedrooms: All Empire Commons bedrooms are singles, with four bedrooms in every apartment. Each bedroom comes fully furnished, with a full-sized mattress and bed frame, a chair and desk, and a dresser.
Bathrooms: Almost all students live in apartments with two bathrooms. Buildings E2 and E3 in E Cluster have a four-bedroom, four-bathroom configuration.
Kitchens: Kitchens are fully equipped with a full-sized refrigerator, oven, stove range, microwave, garbage disposal and dishwasher. A dining table, chairs and ample cabinet space are also provided.
Living Rooms: Living rooms are fully furnished with couches, chairs and tables.
Laundry: Each apartment has a laundry room with washer, dryer and additional storage space.
Utilities: Heat, water, electricity, internet and trash removal are all included.
Air Conditioning: All Empire Commons apartments have air conditioning with a self-controlled thermostat.
Accessibility: Designated apartments on the first floor are ADA-compliant. The following apartments have modifications to bathrooms and/or kitchen cabinets to allow for wheelchair accessibility: EA1 102, EA2 101, EA3 102, EB1 102, EC1 101, EC3 103, EC5 102, EE1 102, EE2 103, EF2 101, EG1 102, EG2 101 and EG3 101.

Floor plan for a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment on Empire Commons. — A typical floor plan for a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment on Empire Commons. ***Note:*** Accessible apartments’ floor plans are modified to allow for wheelchair access.

Floor plan for a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom apartment on Empire Commons. — A typical floor plan for a 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom apartment on Empire Commons. ***Note:*** Accessible apartments’ floor plans are modified to allow for wheelchair access.

Complex Amenities

Empire Commons Community Building: During the academic year, when classes are in session, the community building is open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, and from noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Special hours of operation are posted during summer term, intersession, holidays and when classes are not in-session.
- Event & Meeting Space: The conference rooms in the Empire Commons Community Building may be reserved for meetings, programs and other University focused events.
- Fitness Center: University Apartments residents may use both the Empire Commons and Liberty Terrace fitness centers.
- ATM: A Broadview ATM is available in the Empire Commons Community Building. Learn more about on-campus banking.
Outdoor Courts: Basketball are located behind C Cluster. Volleyball courts are located outside B Cluster and F Cluster.
Bus Stops: UAlbany buses stop at Empire Commons for the Thursday Shopping Shuttle to Crossgates Commons and Crossgates Mall. Residents are also walking distance from the Social Science bus stop and a CDTA bus stop.
Parking: There are multiple student parking lots in the Empire Commons complex.

Special Housing Opportunities on Empire Commons

Please visit the Apply for Academic Year Housing page for additional information on special housing, including how to apply for these opportunities.

Gender-Inclusive Housing is available.
University Apartments remain open to all residents during Thanksgiving Break, Intersession and Spring Break.
Honors College housing is available.