BUSM Breaks Ground on New Student Residence

Members of Boston University’s (BU) administration along with elected officials from the Boston community earlier today celebrated the groundbreaking for the long-awaited construction of a student residence at 815 Albany Street on the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC). See video of the event here.

The nine-story, $40 million structure is designed by Beacon Architectural Associates with a brick and limestone façade in the classic Boston tradition. Its 104 two-bedroom suites that include bath, kitchenette and living spaces will accommodate 208 students, each with individual bedrooms, the standard for graduate student housing. Walsh Brothers is the contractor for the building, which is expected to take 18 months to complete.

(Left to right) Richard Towle, Fallon Towle & Associates; Robert Stanstell, Beacon Architectural Associates; Gary Nicksa, Vice President for Operations, Boston University; Joseph Fallon, Fallon Towle & Associates; Robert Brown, President, Boston University; Thomas Menino, Mayor of Boston; Karen Antman, Dean, Boston University School of Medicine; Michael Coleman, Beacon Architectural Associates

“The addition of on-campus housing has been something that the medical school has talked about for decades,” said BU President Robert Brown, PhD. “With the generous support of our friends and alumni, the concept of student housing at Boston University School of Medicine is becoming a reality. The fundraising for this project is not yet complete, but we have reached a milestone where we are confident of attaining our goal.”

BU estimates that the project will reduce pressure on local affordable housing, and increase foot traffic and commercial activity in the area. The residence will add to the already substantial investments the University has made on campus and in the surrounding area.

“Providing safe, affordable housing for our students will provide a sense of community for our students as well as decrease students commuting time and educational debt,” said Medical Campus Provost and Boston University School of Medicine Dean Karen Antman, MD. “We have expanded and renovated campus facilities to accommodate the academic and research requirements of a modern educational and scientific center. We are now adding residential campus housing. We are pleased that these projects enrich the South End community of Boston as well as our campus,” she added.

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