Rendering of the new hall under construction. This view shows the building from the southwest end of the corridor between Harrison and Hillenbrand halls.
Construction of a new residence hall located south of Hillenbrand Hall is progressing towards completion, with the facility set to open in 2026.
Located in the corridor between Hillenbrand and Harrison halls, the new hall will be an eight-story, 252,000-plus square-foot facility that will include nearly 900 beds. Among the learning communities housed in the hall will be The Data Mine, a large-scale learning community for undergraduate and graduate students from all majors focusing on data science. Space dedicated to learning communities will include classrooms, labs and offices in addition to lounges, study spaces and multi-purpose rooms.
The floor layout of the new hall will feature pod-style housing containing a mix of single, double, triple and quad-occupancy student rooms arranged around centralized bathrooms, study areas, music rooms and a lounge. Other amenities include a large multi-purpose room, game room and lounges on the ground floor.
View from Harrison Hall.
Construction is well underway, with the concrete for the deck of the fourth floor in the process of being poured. As this is taking place, steel studs are being installed to create the shape of student rooms. Utility and electrical work has also begun. This work will continue with the expectation that new floors will be completed every three to four weeks. The bare structure of the hall is expected to be completed sometime this spring, with the installation of windows and walls to follow.
University Residences and F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. expect the building to be completely sealed by June. Once the building is sealed, work will begin on the interior. The target date for the completion of construction is June 2026, leaving two months before students move in for the Fall 2026 Semester to install furniture and complete the final touches. Readers can monitor a webcam from Harrison Hall and a webcam from Earhart Hall for live updates of the building taking shape.
Expanded seating in Hillenbrand Dining Court was completed during summer 2024.
Expansion and renovation of Hillenbrand Dining Court are also part of the project. Renovation work, which includes expanded seating capacity to accommodate additional residents will be completed during summer 2026. An allergen-free food station will be added in the next phase of construction work. Sushi Boss, a popular sushi option for students, will also have a presence in the new residence hall as a grab-and-go dining option with seating nearby.
The new residence hall will help fulfill a primary objective of the Action Council on Student Housing and Wellbeing, a key initiative of Purdue President Mung Chiang under the leadership of Provost Patrick Wolfe and Chief Financial Officer Chris Ruhle. The completion of the new residence hall and 3rd and West, a new apartment community projected for completion in fall 2025, will contribute to a 35 percent increase in on-campus beds. The scope and location of the project are aligned with the Giant Leaps Housing and Dining Master Plan.
