News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Universities across the country are recognizing that a classroom isn’t the only place students learn—or struggle. For too many, finding an affordable, safe, and convenient place to live has become as urgent a need as financial aid or academic support. Rising housing costs and a desire for stronger campus community are pushing institutions to rethink their infrastructure and expand their housing offerings. The stories of Lynn University in Florida and MSU Denver in Colorado offer two distinct but complementary responses to this challenge.
From commuter campus to campus community: MSU Denver
For decades, Metropolitan State University of Denver was defined by its commuters—students who came to class, then left, many facing long travel times or high local rents. In September 2025, the university broke ground on Summit House, a $115 million, 12-story residence hall set to house about 550 students when it opens in 2027. Beyond providing beds, the project will include retail space and the Classroom to Career Hub, centralizing support services and connecting students more deeply with the city around them. For MSU Denver, Summit House represents a move toward belonging, convenience, and a richer campus experience.
Cost and community: Lynn University’s Banyan Hall
In Boca Raton, Lynn University is located in one of Florida’s most expensive housing markets. This year the school opened Banyan Hall, a 287-bed residence designed with both student demand and independence in mind. Offering two- and four-bedroom suites along with shared amenities like a courtyard, firepits, and a community center, the building reflects Lynn’s strategy of using public–private partnerships to steadily expand its housing stock while giving students the independence they want and the community they need.
Why the pivot matters
What unites these projects is a set of common drivers reshaping higher education. Universities are under increasing pressure to help students navigate the rising cost of housing by offering predictable, more affordable options. At the same time, living on or near campus is closely tied to student success: proximity means better access to academic resources, social opportunities, and extracurricular life, while reducing the exhaustion of long commutes. Location strategy also plays a role, as schools look for ways to convert underused land or integrate housing more closely with city centers. And student expectations themselves have changed—today’s undergraduates want spaces that support not just studying, but social and professional growth as well.
What’s next
Building residence halls, however, is not without challenges. The upfront costs are steep, often requiring public–private partnerships or creative financing, and land is scarce in many urban areas. Even when plans move quickly, buildings can take years to complete, leaving demand ahead of supply. And once a residence hall opens, the longer-term test is keeping it affordable while managing maintenance and operations. Yet, despite these hurdles, the momentum is clear: institutions are acknowledging that where students live is inseparable from how they learn, connect, and thrive.
A new era of student housing
What Lynn University and MSU Denver are doing signals a wider shift in how higher education thinks about infrastructure—not just in lecture halls or labs, but in the places students call home. Housing is no longer just a logistical concern but a cornerstone of well-being, retention, and equity. For some students, the difference between commuting an hour each way and joining a firepit gathering steps from their suite can define their entire college experience.
At the end of the day, universities are aiming for more than dormitories; they are building homes. And when those homes are affordable, connected, and supportive, they help make the promise of higher education more accessible, more equitable, and more sustaining.
Helping campuses take the next step
Both Lynn University and MSU Denver partnered with Brailsford & Dunlavey to help navigate these challenges, from planning through execution, ensuring their projects balanced affordability, functionality, and long-term sustainability. For more than three decades, B&D has worked alongside colleges and universities nationwide to deliver student-centered solutions that align facilities with mission—helping institutions turn vision into reality and housing into home. For more information about B&D, go to bdconnect.com.
