Tufts University Breaks Ground on Two New Residence Halls

Tufts University in Medford, Mass., recently broke ground on two new residence halls with a total capacity of 664 beds, according to local news. The project’s ultimate goal is to expand on-campus housing and reduce pressure on the local housing market. The university is partnering with Capstone Development Partners through a public-private partnership (P3) to develop, finance, and manage the new property, as well as with Elkus Manfredi Architects and Erland Construction.

The development will take over a former parking lot and cover 271,000 square feet. The two buildings will contain studio, two-, four-, and six-bedroom units with an additional 12,000 square feet of amenity space, including lounges, conference rooms, laundry rooms, a bike room, and fitness and study spaces. It will also feature 4,000 square feet of retail and social spaces on the lower floors, local news reports.

“Aided by the expertise of our development team, we’ve been able to reduce construction costs and time and bring to fruition a project that will enhance student life, benefit our neighbors, and enliven our streetscape—all in an environmentally responsible way,” said Tufts University Executive Vice President Mike Howard.

The buildings will be all-electric and were designed with improved indoor air quality, enhanced energy efficiency, and airtight envelopes at top-of-mind. Landscaping and other off-site improvements will help blend the new facility into the existing neighborhood.

“This is more than a residence hall—it’s a community-building project,” said Walker May, Executive Vice President of Capstone. “By creating affordable, high-quality housing on campus, we’re supporting students and the surrounding neighborhood.”

The new space is scheduled to open for the fall 2027 semester, local news reports, and upper-division students will receive leasing priority.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Pfluger Architects Announces Promotions of Seven Staff Members

    Texas-based architecture firm Pfluger Architects recently announced that it has promoted seven staff members to senior-level positions. One of the promotions is that of Dallas-based Senior Project Architect Chad Martin to Principal, according to a news release.

  • modern college building with circuit and brain motifs

    Anthropic Introduces Claude for Education

    Anthropic has launched a version of its Claude AI assistant tailored for higher education institutions. Claude for Education "gives academic institutions secure, reliable AI access for their entire community," the company said, to enable colleges and universities to develop and implement AI-enabled approaches across teaching, learning, and administration.

  • Image courtesy of Armstrong International

    The Modern Hot Water System Approach to Keep Higher Education Buildings Safe and Operational

    Higher education campuses face unique structural and operational demands. With a range of old and new buildings, a variety of facility types, and ambitious sustainability goals, it's essential that no aspect of infrastructural performance is overlooked. Facility managers must be equipped to provide a safe, reliable and efficient space for students, faculty and guests.

  • Active Learning Classroom

    Striking a Balance: The Keys to Renovating Science Education Buildings for the 21st Century

    The recent renovation of the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) provides a roadmap for facilities managers tasked with balancing budget constraints, modern pedagogical demands, and long-term sustainability.

Digital Edition