BOSTON, MA – December 10, 2009 – Today, Massachusetts College of Art and Design announced plans for construction of a 21-story residence hall on Huntington Avenue in Boston. The $61 million building will add 145,000 square feet of dormitory and facility space to MassArt and marks a significant step in the multi-stage development of the campus over the next ten years.
Construction of the new residence hall is funded entirely by tax-exempt revenue bonds issued through the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA), which funds construction of student activity facilities at the state’s nine public colleges. On December 8, 2009, the MSCBA sold the bonds necessary to fund the project at a blended rate of 4.26%, a rate significantly below what had been anticipated.
In an effort to contain costs and maximize the benefit to its students, MassArt has taken an entrepreneurial approach to the project by partnering with two nearby colleges. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) has signed a long-term lease with MassArt in order to house a portion of its students in the new facility. The two colleges also are collaborating on renovation to MassArt’s campus center, scheduled to be completed for fall 2010, which includes a shared bookstore and dining services.
In addition, the new residence hall will include a new health center serving students of MassArt, MCPHS, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Wentworth and MCPHS will contribute to construction and operating costs. MassArt, MCPHS, and Wentworth are members of the Colleges of the Fenway, a consortium that also includes Emmanuel College, Simmons College, and Wheelock College.The new residence hall, which includes 493 beds, will guarantee housing to all first- and second-year students at MassArt. Upon completion, it will allow the college to house 38 percent of the student body on campus. Currently, it provides on-campus housing to 22 percent of students. The new residence hall will also feature a sustainable design strategy to achieve LEED Silver certification, reinforcing MassArt’s commitment to leadership in “green” building and development.
“The development of this residence hall demonstrates what can be accomplished when colleges work together,” said Kay Sloan, president of MassArt. “By partnering with MCPHS and Wentworth, we will provide students of all three institutions with a range of services none of us could provide alone. Particularly in this down economy, it is a win-win for all of us.”
The residence hall is designed by ADD, Inc. Suffolk Construction is the general contractor. Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin in June 2010. Scheduled to open in fall 2012, the residence hall is one of four capital projects that will transform MassArt’s campus over the next seven years.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design Announces Development of 21-story Residence Hall
$61 million building marks important step in transformation of MassArt’s campus
