Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

College of the Desert Starts Construction on New Campus Location

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/09/25

College of the Desert recently announced that it has broken ground on its new Palm Springs campus in Palm Springs, Calif., according to a news release. The multiple-building campus consists of 175,000 square feet of new construction and will cost an estimated $268 million. The college is partnering with builder C.W. Driver Companies for the project’s construction, which is scheduled for completion in 2027.

The campus will span 27 acres. Its primary facility, The Accelerator, will serve students studying digital media and arts, architecture, and healthcare. Amenities in the facility will include technology labs and maker spaces, flexible classrooms, a film-screening studio, radio station, and café. Other campus facilities are set to include a culinary institute featuring specialized, state-of-the-art kitchen labs; an upscale restaurant, and support facilities, the news release reports.

“This project stands out not only for its sustainable design and technologically advanced learning spaces but also for its role in shaping the Coachella Valley as a hub for education, creativity, and community connection,” said Dave Amundson, Project Executive, C.W. Driver. “Our history of building complex higher education facilities in Southern California has prepared us well for this opportunity.”

Finally, the campus will feature an event center for community use, a maintenance and operations facility, a central utility plant, and a campus transportation and mobility hub. The campus is aiming for LEED Gold Certification; sustainability features will include on-site photovoltaic power generation and energy-efficient design, according to the news release.

The college also partnered with WRNS Studio for the project’s design.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Longwood University Hits Construction Milestone on New Music Education Facility

    Longwood University in Farmville, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of its new music education and performance facility, according to a news release. The university partnered with development and construction firm Skanska on the 63,800-square-foot facility, which began construction in August 2025 and has an estimated completion date of fall 2028.

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.