BU School of Medicine breaks ground for new $40 million student residence

Members of Boston University's (BU) administration along with elected officials from the Boston community recently celebrated the ground breaking for the long-awaited construction of a student residence at 815 Albany St. on the Boston University Medical Campus (BUMC). 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. "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.