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Last reviewed: August 2026. Pricing reflects the most recently available listing data and should be verified directly with the property manager.
the Frances Apartments is a 140-unit furnished apartment building at 215 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703. Built in 1969 and managed by Mullins Apartments, it offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom units in one of the closest residential addresses to UW-Madison and the Kohl Center. Heat and water are included in the rent.
the Frances sits directly across from the Kohl Center on N. Frances Street, placing it within a few blocks of State Street, Memorial Union, and the core UW-Madison campus. For renters researching the N. Frances Street corridor in Madison, WI, this guide covers current rent ranges, what is included in the lease, building amenities, market context, and honest tradeoffs that listing sites do not address.
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the Frances Apartments at 215 N Frances St sits at the intersection of N. Frances Street and W. Dayton Street in Madison, WI, directly across from the Kohl Center. The UW-Madison campus is within a short walk. State Street, Madison's pedestrian-friendly corridor of restaurants, coffee shops, and retail, runs a few blocks to the east, connecting the campus to Capitol Square.
The location puts daily needs within walking distance. Grocery options, pharmacies, and dining are concentrated along University Avenue and State Street. Memorial Union and its lakeside terrace are a short walk east. The Capitol Square farmers' market operates on Saturday mornings, roughly a 10-minute walk from the Frances.
the Frances Apartments in Madison is on the Madison Metro bus network. Routes 80, 81, 82, and 84 serve the UW-Madison campus area, with stops accessible from 215 N Frances St. Off-street parking is available at the Frances but requires a separate agreement and is not included in rent. For renters who want to go car-free or car-light, the combination of campus proximity, State Street access, and Metro bus coverage makes this location workable without a vehicle for most daily routines.
One-bedroom units at the Frances Apartments are listed from $930 to $1,025 per month (as of Q3 2026). Two-bedroom units are listed at $1,310 per month for a 393-square-foot layout (as of Q3 2026). Heat and water are included in the rent at the Frances, meaning tenants pay a flat monthly amount without separate billing for those utilities.
A furnished apartment is a unit that comes with furniture already in place, typically including beds, seating, and a dining table, reducing move-in costs for renters who do not own furniture. All units at the Frances are furnished. Pets are not allowed. The building has an elevator, on-site laundry, secured entry with an intercom system, controlled access, 24-hour maintenance, and cable-ready wiring. Air conditioning is included.
Off-street parking at the Frances is available through a separate parking agreement, meaning it costs extra and is not part of the base rent. Renters who need parking should ask Mullins Apartments about current monthly rates when inquiring about availability.
Unit-level pricing on third-party listing sites may reflect rates from prior lease cycles. The figures cited here are the most recently available, but should be verified directly with Mullins Apartments at (608) 257-2127 before any leasing decision.
the Frances Apartments offers rents well below Madison, WI citywide medians. Madison's average one-bedroom rent is approximately $1,580 to $1,694 per month (as of Q3 2026, per available market data). The Frances's listed one-bedroom range of $930 to $1,025 per month falls roughly 35 to 45% below those figures, depending on which market benchmark and unit price are compared.
For two-bedroom units, Madison's citywide average runs approximately $1,839 to $2,059 per month (as of Q3 2026). The Frances two-bedroom at $1,310 per month is approximately 29 to 37% below that range.
What explains the gap: the Frances was built in 1969. Finishes and unit footprints reflect that era. The two-bedroom at 393 square feet is compact by current standards. Renters gain a below-market price point and included utilities at the Frances in exchange for a smaller, older unit. For renters whose priority is location near UW-Madison and State Street rather than modern finishes, that tradeoff can work. For context on how included utilities affect your true housing cost, see brightplace's guide to your true monthly cost.
brightplace tracks rent across Madison neighborhoods. Search current Madison listings at app.brightplace.ai.
the Frances Apartments in Madison, WI includes the following in the lease: heat and water are covered in rent. Units are furnished. The building has an elevator and on-site laundry. Entry is secured with an intercom and controlled-access system. Maintenance is available 24 hours. Units are cable-ready and air-conditioned.
Mullins Apartments, the property manager responsible for leasing, maintenance, and tenant relations at the building, handles all management for the Frances. Their office can be reached at (608) 257-2127.
Lease terms at properties managed by Mullins Apartments in Madison typically run on an annual cycle. Specific lease length and start dates should be confirmed directly with the manager. For renters weighing lease length options, brightplace's comparison of month-to-month vs. 12-month leases covers what to consider. If you are moving in mid-cycle, understanding prorated rent is also useful.
the Frances Apartments in Madison works well for a specific renter profile. If you prioritize walkability to UW-Madison and State Street, want utilities included in your rent, prefer a furnished unit, and your budget for a one-bedroom is under $1,100 per month (as of Q3 2026), this building checks those boxes.
The honest tradeoffs: the Frances was built in 1969. Expect older finishes and compact layouts. There is no fitness center, no rooftop space, and no in-unit laundry. Pets are not allowed. Parking costs extra. The 393-square-foot two-bedroom is small by any standard. And availability is tight: most units on listing sites are marked "rented," which means openings fill quickly in this corridor near the Kohl Center.
If you need a pet-friendly building, modern finishes, or more square footage, the Frances is probably not the right fit. But for a budget-conscious renter who values location above amenity packages, it remains one of the more affordable addresses this close to UW-Madison. Before touring any apartment, review brightplace's list of questions to ask when touring an apartment to make sure you cover the essentials.
Based on the most recently available listing data (as of Q3 2026), all advertised units at the Frances Apartments are marked as rented on third-party sites. This reflects the building's high occupancy rate in a competitive corridor near UW-Madison and the Kohl Center.
Do not rely on listing pages for availability at the Frances. Contact Mullins Apartments directly at (608) 257-2127. Units at 215 N Frances St in Madison turn over on a lease-cycle basis and fill quickly given the location. Calling the property manager is the most reliable way to learn about upcoming openings.
For a broader view of what is available in the campus area, brightplace's guide to how to rent an apartment walks through the full process. And if you are looking at options across different price points near campus, brightplace covers cheap one-bedroom apartments with context on what those lower rents typically include.
the Frances Apartments is at 215 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703. The building sits directly across from the Kohl Center at the corner of N. Frances Street and W. Dayton Street. State Street and the main UW-Madison campus are within a few blocks' walking distance. Capitol Square is roughly 10 minutes on foot.
One-bedroom apartments at the Frances range from $930 to $1,025 per month. Two-bedroom units are listed at $1,310 per month (as of Q3 2026). Heat and water are included. These figures may reflect prior lease cycles, so contact Mullins Apartments at (608) 257-2127 for current pricing and availability.
Heat and water are included in the monthly rent at the Frances Apartments in Madison. Tenants pay a flat rent without separate utility billing for those services. Electricity, internet, and cable are likely separate. Confirm the full utility breakdown with Mullins Apartments before signing a lease.
No. Off-street parking at the Frances Apartments is available but requires a separate parking agreement. It is not included in the base rent. Ask Mullins Apartments about the current monthly parking cost and availability when you contact them about units at 215 N Frances St.
No. the Frances Apartments does not allow pets. This policy covers both cats and dogs. If pet-friendliness is a requirement, this building will not work. Confirm directly with Mullins Apartments in case this policy has changed since the most recent available listing data.
the Frances Apartments at 215 N Frances St is within walking distance of the UW-Madison campus. The Kohl Center is directly across the street. State Street, the main pedestrian corridor connecting campus to Capitol Square, is a few blocks east. Most campus buildings are reachable on foot within 10 to 15 minutes.
UW-Madison on-campus housing uses its own application and selection process managed by University Housing, separate from private off-campus buildings. Private properties like the Frances Apartments operate on their own leasing timelines and are not part of the university housing system. Contact each property directly for their application process.
Contact Mullins Apartments directly at (608) 257-2127. Third-party listing sites frequently show all units at the Frances as rented, which may not reflect real-time openings. The property manager is the most reliable source for current availability at 215 N Frances St in Madison, WI.
the Frances Apartments is managed by Mullins Apartments. The direct phone number is (608) 257-2127. This is the contact for all leasing inquiries, maintenance requests, and availability questions for the building at 215 N Frances St, Madison, WI 53703.
Yes. All one-bedroom and two-bedroom units at the Frances Apartments in Madison are furnished. A furnished unit typically includes beds, seating, and a dining table. This reduces move-in costs for renters who do not own furniture. Confirm the exact furnishing list with Mullins Apartments before signing.
Searching near campus or downtown Madison? brightplace shows current available apartments across the city with pricing context. See what is available at app.brightplace.ai.
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