Florida Gulf Coast University Selects Builder for New Academic Building
Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla., recently announced that it has selected development and construction firm Skanska to build a new academic and health sciences building, according to a news release. Marieb Hall South will become the campus’ largest academic building at 158,040 square feet; the facility has an estimated completion date of summer 2028 and is scheduled to open to students in spring 2029.
Amenities will include a 32,000-square-foot interprofessional simulation center that will provide “immersive, real-world care scenarios” to healthcare students. The four-floor facility also features classrooms, administrative space, and a concessions area.
“As a leader in higher education construction, Skanska understands that preparing today’s students requires flexible, technology-enabled spaces that extend beyond traditional classrooms to support hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and research,” said Bob Kramer, Vice President and Account Manager with Skanska. “Meeting the needs of a growing region requires expanded healthcare capacity and a strong pipeline of skilled professionals, and Skanska is proud to partner with FGCU to deliver a modern academic building that advances both priorities.”
The building will play home to the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services, the Marieb College of Health & Human Services social work and counseling programs, and the FGCU Golisano Intellectual Developmental Disabilities Initiative (GIDDI). The second floor will contain the interprofessional simulation center, the third floor classrooms and lab space for nursing and physician assistant students, and the fourth floor the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.
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Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].