ASU’s newest apartment community, Vista del Sol, opened on Friday as about 1,600 students moved in to the Tempe campus complex.

The highly anticipated opening of the $130 million complex, which claims on its Web site to set “the new standard in student living,” went smoothly despite the large number of incoming residents.

Denise Giambelluca, regional manager of American Campus Communities, said all but about 200 residents had moved in by the end of the day Friday.

She expects all 1,841 residents in Vista del Sol’s 613 apartments to arrive by the time classes start Monday.

“It went great, to move that many people in in one day,” Giambelluca said.

Giambelluca said the support of ASU police and Residential Life was important for a smooth move-in process.

“Parents were very appreciative,” she said.

Vista del Sol hosted a poolside barbecue dinner for residents and their families at the end of the busy day.

Sitting at the barbecue with her parents, marketing sophomore Jamie Maerkle said she was pleased with the apartments at Vista del Sol.

“They’re little, but they’re nice,” she said.

Maerkle’s mother, Lorine Maerkle, called the complex “a resort” and said move-in went smoothly.

Freshman Rachael Jake waited in the parking garage with her mother to find a red moving bin, but otherwise had no problems settling into her new apartment.

Jake said she considered living in a residence hall on campus, but ultimately chose Vista del Sol so she could have her own bathroom.

“We didn’t have anything like this when I was here,” said Jake’s mother, Laurie Jake, an ASU alumna.

Laurie Jake, who lived in the A wing of Best Hall as a freshman, also said she appreciated the help of the Vista del Sol staff. “There is literally cold water ... all over for move-in.”

Giambelluca said Vista staff put water in all of the refrigerators and a roll of toilet paper in every bathroom as a welcome gift.

“Those are definitely the two things you need during move-in,” she said.

Giambelluca said American Campus Communities, which manages Vista del Sol, is working closely with ASU to enhance the experience for residents.

“It’s a great property designed to keep students on campus,” she said.

As a result, the ASU Code of Conduct is part of the lease and Community Assistants do much of their training with those in residential halls.

The Vista del Sol community cooperates with the University through joint programming, which includes ASU tutoring services offered in the complex.

Community amenities include a pool, movie theater, tanning bed, and an 8,000-square-foot fitness center.

“This is the first time a privatized company has built on campus,” Giambelluca said. “We’re anxious to see how it works.”

Reach the reporter at adam.sneed@asu.edu.