Princeton Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion

Last month, officials at Princeton University gathered to break ground on the Lake Campus Development in West Windsor, N.J. The project is the university’s first major campus expansion in the city, though a press release states that it will be constructed on land that the university has owned for over a hundred years.

Once complete, the development will contain amenities like graduate housing for more than 600 students; a parking garage with the capacity for 600 vehicles; a new racquet center; a softball stadium; rugby and recreation fields; a cross-country course; and a central utility building called the “TIGER-CUB,” or “thermally-integrated geo-exchange resource central utility building,” to help heat and cool structures. The university is partnering with architecture firm SOM and construction manager P. Agnes.

“We have appreciated the support of stakeholders and partners at the local, county and state level as we developed plans for this first phase of Lake Campus,” said Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber. “We are especially appreciative of the warm welcome that we have received from officials in West Windsor.”

The work is scheduled to be done in two phases. The first phase will lie the new development’s infrastructure, including roads and underground utilities, as well as the graduate housing and parking amenities. This phase is expected to be complete in 2023. The athletics facilities currently have an estimated completion date of 2025.

Eisgruber also commented that the Lake Campus Development will also open up potential space for new scientific facilities. “We look forward to continued engagement in future phases as we refine our vision for additional facilities that will advance the University’s mission and enhance our ability to make an impact on the world,” he said.

The project is designed to help Princeton University meet its sustainability goals like stormwater management using green infrastructure and aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2046.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.

  • Children walking along bright school corridor with motion blur

    How Next-Gen Design Is Reshaping the Student Experience

    The environments where students learn play a crucial role in shaping their growth in and out of the classroom. By centering design on well-being, flexibility, and purpose, districts can ensure their facilities remain vibrant community assets for many years to come.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • Texas District Breaks Ground on Second High School

    The Waller Independent School District in Waller, Texas, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for what will become its second high school, according to a news release.