By: David Schuyler
Marquette University said Thursday that it will break ground on construction of the $96 million, 750-bed residence hall on Nov. 2.
The co-ed hall will consist of two 375-bed resident towers at North 17th and West Wells streets, just west of downtown Milwaukee. The towers will be connected through the lower levels by dining and campus community space. The hall is expected to open for the 2018-’19 academic year.
“For Marquette University to be among the top Catholic and Jesuit institutions in the world, it all must start with the student experience,” Marquette president Michael Lovell said in announcing the groundbreaking. “We have to think and act differently and embrace new ways of living and learning for our community.”
The Milwaukee university hired Design Collective, based in Baltimore, to design the project in partnership with Milwaukee’s Workshop Architects, which has designed University of Wisconsin buildings on several campuses. Construction management firm J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. of Milwaukee will lead the work.
Lora Strigens, vice president for planning and strategy, said the new residence halls will feature pod- and suite-like settings, as opposed to the traditional model of large buildings with small double rooms. It will be designed to meet LEED certification standards and will strive to incorporate innovative sustainable practices in the design.
Once the new facilities are fully operational, the university will develop a plan to raze McCormick Hall, Strigens said. McCormick Hall, which currently houses 725 beds, is more than 50 years old.
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/10/13/marquette-will-break-ground-on-96m-residence-hall.html?ana=twt
