The Purdue University Board of Trustees has approved plans for a new residence hall on the West Lafayette, Indiana, campus immediately south of Hillenbrand Residence Hall.
Hillenbrand Residence Hall South will be an eight-story, 252,525-square-foot facility with 896 pod-style beds. At the same time, the existing dining area in Hillenbrand Residence Hall will be renovated and expanded to 800 seats, up from 500 to 800, to accommodate students from the new residence hall.
The project will help address an existing waitlist and an increased demand for on-campus housing.
“The addition of Hillenbrand Residence Hall South to the West Lafayette campus allows the university to increase the number of on-campus beds and provides more opportunities for the integrated student life experience that we know enhances student success,” said Jay Wasson, Purdue vice president for physical facilities and chief public safety officer.
Since 2013 Purdue enrollment has increased 31%, and the completion of the Hillenbrand South and Third Street and McCormick Road housing projects will contribute to a 35% increase in the number of on-campus beds.
Work is scheduled to start in March 2024 and be completed in June 2026. The estimated total project cost is $149 million, to be funded by non-fee replaced debt.
