Apartment Amenities Compared: What Baylor Complexes Actually Include

Choosing an apartment near Baylor often comes down to one question: what do I actually get for my money? Every complex has an amenities page, but comparing them means opening six browser tabs and squinting at marketing photos. We did the homework for you — here's an honest, side-by-side look at what Baylor-area apartment complexes actually include.

Why Amenities Matter More Than You Think

Your apartment isn't just a place to sleep. It's where you study for finals, unwind after class, exercise, host friends, and (if you're lucky) avoid paying for a separate gym membership. The right amenities save you real money and make daily life easier. The wrong ones are just photos on a website.

When comparing complexes, focus on what you'll actually use — not what looks good on Instagram.

The Big Categories: What to Compare

Not all amenities are created equal. Here's what matters most for Baylor students:

Pool

This is Central Texas. Summers hit 100°F regularly, and a pool isn't a luxury — it's survival.

• 19Eleven: Indoor pool. Usable year-round regardless of weather, which matters more than you'd think during those random January cold snaps (remember when Baylor closed campus for three days in January 2026?).
• The Outpost: Resort-style outdoor pool. Great in summer, closed in winter.
• The Green: Outdoor pool with in-water loungers. Resort vibe, seasonal use.
• Park Place: Resort-style outdoor pool. Seasonal.
• Union: Access to U Pointe on Speight amenities, which includes a pool.
• Addison Waco: No pool listed in community amenities.
• The Grove: Resort-style outdoor pool.

The takeaway: Most complexes have outdoor pools that sit empty from November through March. An indoor pool is a genuine differentiator if you want to swim year-round.

Fitness Center

Every complex has a "fitness center." But size and equipment vary wildly.

• Union: 2,292 sq ft fitness center with 17 strength machines, 24 cardio machines, and free weights. This is the largest apartment gym near Baylor by a significant margin.
• Park Place: Recently renovated fitness space with steam rooms — a rare perk.
• The Outpost: 24-hour fitness center with a dedicated yoga room and tanning bed.
• The Green: Fitness center with "state-of-the-art machines" (no specific size or equipment count listed).
• Addison Waco: 24/7 fitness center (no size or equipment details listed).
• The Grove: Updated 24-hour fitness center.
• 19Eleven: Sports court and indoor pool rather than a traditional weight room. If you're a serious lifter, you'll probably want a Baylor gym membership (free with your student ID at the McLane Student Life Center) or Underground Performance ($40/month, 24/7). But if your workout is swimming laps, shooting hoops, or walking your dog at the bark park, 19Eleven has you covered without an extra membership.

The takeaway: If gym equipment is your top priority, Union wins on sheer square footage. But remember — the McLane Student Life Center is free with your Baylor ID (10,000 sq ft, climbing wall, indoor track, pool). Your apartment gym is a backup, not your primary.

Security

Safety is the #2 concern for parents and students choosing off-campus housing, right after cost.

• 19Eleven: Gated community with controlled access. One of the few complexes near Baylor with a physical gate.
• Addison Waco: Video cameras at all entrances and exits, restricted access, 24-hour monitoring, monitored parking lot.
• Park Place: Fingerprint access to parking and building entry.
• The Outpost: Standard locked entry.
• Union: Standard locked entry.
• The Green: Standard locked entry.
• The Grove: Standard locked entry.

The takeaway: If gated access matters to you (or your parents), the options narrow quickly. 19Eleven and Addison are the most security-focused. Park Place's fingerprint system is a modern touch. Read more in our gated vs. non-gated comparison.

Pet Amenities

Waco apartments are generally pet-friendly, but "pet-friendly" can mean very different things.

• 19Eleven: Dedicated bark park on-site. $250 pet fee + $25/month pet rent.
• The Grove: Large dog park on-site.
• The Outpost: Pet-friendly (no dedicated dog park listed).
• Addison Waco: Pet-friendly (no dedicated dog park listed).
• Park Place: Pet-friendly.
• The Green: Pet-friendly.

The takeaway: If you have a dog, look for a complex with an actual dog park — not just a "pet-friendly" policy. Late-night and early-morning walks are much easier when there's a fenced area on-site. Check out our dog-friendly living guide for the full picture.

Internet

This one catches people off guard. Some complexes include internet; others charge $50-70/month on top of rent.

• 19Eleven: Internet included in the $40/month flat fee (which also covers trash, pest control, and facilities).
• Addison Waco: High-speed Wi-Fi and cable included.
• Union: Internet included in rent.
• The Grove: High-speed internet included in rent.
• The Outpost: High-speed internet included.
• Park Place: Check lease terms — not always included.

The takeaway: Most student-focused complexes now include internet, but always confirm before signing. A standalone internet plan in Waco runs $40-70/month, which adds up fast.

In-Unit Laundry

Shared laundry rooms are a dealbreaker for many students. Quarters, wait times, and hauling baskets across a parking lot get old fast.

• 19Eleven: In-unit washer and dryer in every apartment.
• The Outpost: In-unit washer and dryer.
• The Grove: In-unit washer and dryer.
• Park Place: In-unit laundry.
• Union: In-unit washer and dryer.
• Addison Waco: In-unit washer and dryer.

The takeaway: Good news — most Baylor-area complexes now include in-unit W/D. If a complex doesn't offer this, it's a red flag.

Study Spaces

You'll study more at home than you expect. Dedicated study spaces matter.

• Union: Academic Success Center with six iMacs and free printing.
• Addison Waco: Study lounges for group work and individual study desk areas.
• Park Place: Redesigned study spaces (part of recent renovations).
• 19Eleven: Study rooms with included internet — plus a coffee bar for those late-night sessions.
• The Outpost: Cyber café, computer lab, and free printing.
• The Grove: Game room doubles as a social space.

The takeaway: If you need quiet, dedicated study space with printing, Union and The Outpost lead. 19Eleven's study rooms plus coffee bar is a practical combo for caffeine-fueled cram sessions.

Furnished vs. Unfurnished

This affects your move-in cost significantly.

• Addison Waco: Fully furnished with modern furnishings.
• Union: Fully furnished.
• The Grove: Fully furnished. Rent includes furnishings.
• Park Place: Fully furnished with smart TVs.
• The Outpost: Fully equipped kitchen; check unit-specific furnishing options.
• 19Eleven: Unfurnished — but that means lower rent and the freedom to make the space yours. Loft-style apartments with exposed beams and polished concrete floors are a design canvas that cookie-cutter furnished units can't match.

The takeaway: Furnished saves hassle on move-in day. Unfurnished saves money over a 12-month lease (typically $100-150/month less). We broke down the full math in our furnished vs. unfurnished comparison.

The Quick Comparison Table

Feature	19Eleven	Addison	Union	Outpost	Park Place	The Green	The Grove
Pool	Indoor	None	Shared	Outdoor	Outdoor	Outdoor	Outdoor
Fitness	Sports court	24/7 gym	2,292 sq ft	24hr + yoga	Gym + steam	Gym	24hr gym
Security	Gated	Cameras + monitored	Standard	Standard	Fingerprint	Standard	Standard
Pet area	Bark park	Pet-friendly	Pet-friendly	Pet-friendly	Pet-friendly	Pet-friendly	Dog park
Internet	Included	Included	Included	Included	Varies	Included	Included
In-unit W/D	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Furnished	No	Yes	Yes	Varies	Yes	Yes	Yes
Shuttle	Walk to campus	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
Style	Loft/industrial	Modern	Modern	Modern	Modern	Modern	Modern

What 19Eleven Does Differently

Every complex on this list is a decent place to live. But 19Eleven isn't trying to be a resort-style student complex — it's a loft-style apartment with exposed steel beams, polished concrete floors, and industrial character you won't find anywhere else near Baylor.

The amenity highlights that set it apart:

• Indoor pool — the only one near campus. Swim in January.
• Gated community — real controlled access, not just a camera at the entrance.
• Bark park — dedicated on-site dog area.
• Walking distance to Baylor — about 0.3 miles. No shuttle needed, no parking permit needed.
• $40/month flat fee — internet, trash, pest control, and facilities. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Ready to Compare in Person?

Amenities pages only tell you so much. The best way to compare is to walk through the spaces yourself. Schedule a tour at 19Eleven and see how loft-style living stacks up against the resort-style competition. Check out the floor plans to find your fit, or start your application today.