A public/private partnership will fund a four-story, 213,000 sf apartment complex on Purdue University Fort Wayne’s (PFW’s) North Campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The P3 entity was formed exclusively for this property. The student housing complex will offer 600 beds across 176 units, with nearly half reserved for university-contracted students while the rest will be available to other area students for direct leasing.
The project will add badly needed housing to the campus. PFW’s student housing has been at full capacity for six consecutive fall semesters, with nearly 1,600 students housed at the start of the 2023-24 academic year—an increase of nearly 21% from the previous year. Housing options will include studios to four-bedroom units.
“The dynamics of the Purdue Fort Wayne campus have changed dramatically during the past few years,” said Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer. “The university is focused on bringing more people to the area to help fill the employee pipeline. Student housing is an essential component of that strategy. Having sufficient on-campus housing to meet the growing demand is also critical to our ability to create the residential campus environment our students and their families have come to expect.”
The complex, designed to have minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood, will include a generous public drop-off area for campus shuttles and rideshares, as well as strategic parking placement with over 450 spaces to complement multiple pedestrian connections. Outdoor amenities include a hammock farm, green spaces, sand volleyball and basketball courts, grilling areas, and fire pits. Inside, shared spaces include: a convenience store, fitness center, gaming room, quiet study spaces, lounges, reception area, and leasing office.
The project emphasizes sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient appliances and lighting, water conservation measures, native landscaping, stormwater treatment, and construction waste management strategies. Preliminary work on the $90-$100 million project is slated to begin in October, with completion targeted for the fall 2026 semester.
Owner and/or developer: Gilbane Development Company
Design architect: Progressive AE
Architect of record: Progressive AE
MEP engineer: Progressive AE
Structural engineer: Progressive AE
General contractor: American Village Builders (AVB)
CM Agent: Gilbane Building Company
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Oct 6, 2023
Announcing MultifamilyPro+
BD+C has served the multifamily design and construction sector for more than 60 years, and now we're introducing a central hub within BDCnetwork.com for all things multifamily.
Contractors | Sep 25, 2023
Balfour Beatty expands its operations in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Balfour Beatty is expanding its leading construction operations into the Tampa Bay area offering specialized and expert services to deliver premier projects along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Affordable Housing | Sep 25, 2023
3 affordable housing projects that serve as social catalysts
Trish Donnally, Associate Principal, Perkins Eastman, shares insights from three transformative affordable housing projects.
MFPRO+ Blog | Sep 21, 2023
The benefits of strategic multifamily housing repositioning
With the rapid increase in new multifamily housing developments, owners of existing assets face increasing competition. As their assets age and the number of new developments increases seemingly day-by-day, developers will inevitably have to find a way to stay relevant.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 31, 2023
6 multifamily housing projects win 2023 LEED Homes Awards
The 2023 LEED Homes Awards winners in the multifamily space represent green, LEED-certified buildings designed to provide clean indoor air and reduced energy consumption.
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 27, 2023
Number of U.S. adaptive reuse projects jumps to 122,000 from 77,000
The number of adaptive reuse projects in the pipeline grew to a record 122,000 in 2023 from 77,000 registered last year, according to RentCafe’s annual Adaptive Reuse Report. Of the 122,000 apartments currently undergoing conversion, 45,000 are the result of office repurposing, representing 37% of the total, followed by hotels (23% of future projects).
Multifamily Housing | Jul 13, 2023
Walkable neighborhoods encourage stronger sense of community
Adults who live in walkable neighborhoods are more likely to interact with their neighbors and have a stronger sense of community than people who live in car-dependent communities, according to a report by the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.
Urban Planning | Jun 15, 2023
Arizona limits housing projects in Phoenix area over groundwater supply concerns
Arizona will no longer grant certifications for new residential developments in Phoenix, it’s largest city, due to concerns over groundwater supply. The announcement indicates that the Phoenix area, currently the nation’s fastest-growing region in terms of population growth, will not be able to sustain its rapid growth because of limited freshwater resources.
Student Housing | Jun 5, 2023
The power of student engagement: How on-campus student housing can increase enrollment
Studies have confirmed that students are more likely to graduate when they live on campus, particularly when the on-campus experience encourages student learning and engagement, writes Design Collaborative's Nathan Woods, AIA.
Urban Planning | Jun 2, 2023
Designing a pedestrian-focused city in downtown Phoenix
What makes a city walkable? Shepley Bulfinch's Omar Bailey, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, believes pedestrian focused cities benefit most when they're not only easy to navigate, but also create spaces where people can live, work, and play.
