Lynn University will expand its on-campus student housing portfolio with new residence halls offering fully furnished apartment-style and suite-style units for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Due to record enrollment growth of 30% over the past seven years, delivering affordable housing to meet student demand is a strategic goal for the university.
Lynn has entered into a public-private collaboration agreement with The Michaels Organization to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new residence halls. The expansion, outlined in the university's Campus Master Plan, features a multi-phased approach to complete new buildings for occupancy in the Fall 2025 semester and in Fall 2027. The new residence halls will increase on-campus capacity by approximately 550 beds.
"We are proud to partner with The Michaels Organization to bring to life our vision for a close-knit neighborhood on the south side of campus," said President Kevin M. Ross. "We've listened to our students, and we're designing the new residence halls with their needs in mind."
In a student survey and market study conducted by development advisors Brailsford and Dunlavey, 58% of survey respondents said being close to class and campus resources was their top reason for wanting to live on campus. Most said privacy is a priority, and students also identified in-building laundry and kitchen access among their top amenity choices.
The new residence halls will offer private bedrooms, on-site classrooms and in-building laundry facilities, and about 30% of the new units will have kitchens. The new neighborhood will feature an outdoor plaza, enhanced crosswalks and pedestrian connections, building lounges, expanded parking and covered bicycle storage.
"We are excited to be a partner with Lynn University as they transform their on-campus student housing experience in a Southern Residential District that will create a synergistic housing core," said Ned Williams, executive vice president of development for The Michaels Organization. "Together we will build innovative, safe and affordable housing for Lynn's growing student community."
The university recently fulfilled housing for 342 upperclassmen and graduate students with the new Capstone Apartments, which opened in Fall 2022.
