One Simmons
One Simmons is a strategic reimagining of our campus. This three-phased project enhances the student experience by creating gathering spaces, group study, new classrooms, and ultimately combining our two campuses into one.
The One Simmons Vision
The vision for One Simmons is a unified campus that supports our entire academic community, enhances the student experience, and modernizes the living and learning experience for all Simmons students. It is the culmination of a decade of thoughtful and creative planning.
The One Simmons Project
One Simmons is a three-phased strategic construction project that will ultimately combine our two campuses to enhance the student experience through the updating of our academic buildings, the modernization of our science facilities, and the construction of a new Living and Learning Center (LLC) on the main campus.
Phases 1 and 2
Status: Complete
We have opened state-of-the-art, modern library and health science facilities, achieved greater utilization of our academic spaces, created more student facing locations, eliminated significant deferred maintenance, and brought our academic buildings up to current safety and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) code standards.
Phase 3
Status: Scheduled for completion fall of 2026
The final phase of the project, the creation of the Living and Learning Center, is scheduled to be complete in 2026. Plans to further enhance our outdoor spaces, the quad, the labyrinth, and other seating areas are in consideration for the centralized campus as well.
The Living and Learning Center
The Living and Learning Center (LLC) will be a vibrant epicenter for the entire Simmons community, providing modern living, athletic/wellness, study, and dining spaces for students and the opportunity for greater connection, wellness experiences, and events.
The Living and Learning Center will have
- approximately 1,100 student beds (more than the current Residence Campus)
- a variety of room configurations
- a 2-level dining facility
- a 3-level NCAA athletic, wellness and recreation center
- new spaces for campus resources
- a green roof-deck with plantings, seating areas, and places for both quiet contemplation, reading, yoga, and other events (things that have historically taken place in the residence campus quad)
- amazing views of Boston from the event space on the sixteenth floor
The Park Science Building will be demolished in the fall of 2023 and the LLC will break ground in early winter. Currently, the construction timeline allows us to move into the Living and Learning Center in the fall of 2026.
Construction Progress and Timeline
Construction Progress To-Date
Last update: September 25, 2024
The demolition of the Park Science Building is complete. The building of the Living and Learning Center (LLC) structures has begun.
Contact Facilities at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Fall 2024
Installation of the Structural Steel
This phase will begin in September and continue through May 2025. During this phase, we do not anticipate any disruption to the sidewalks, the driveway, or access and exit to the garage.
Summer 2024
Construction Crane and Pedestrian Walkways
- Installation of the construction crane began June 28.
- The overhead protection for the pedestrian walkways have been relocated for safe passage through campus.
Trailers, Visual mock-up, and Fencing
Installation of temporary trailers for the construction workers and the visual mock-up (VMU) of the LLC facade begins June 13. The trailers and the VMU will be placed in the grassy area between One Palace Road and the Management and Academic Building. Skanksa will begin the pre-work for the trailers and installation of the VMU starting June 13. During the pre-work, the area will be protected with temporary fencing and cones. .
Spring 2024
Pile Driving Phase [Complete]
This phase involves installing the foundation structures of the new Living and Learning Center and will be one of the most disruptive phases of the construction project.
Updated Schedule for Pile Driving Phase
- Pile Installation: February 15 — May 17, 2024
- Work hours: Monday — Friday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturdays, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Anticipated Disruptions
- Vibratory noise (chattering)
- Vibration
- Impact hammer noise
- Impact hammer vibration
- Equipment engine noise and backup alarms
Fall 2023
Park Science Building Demolition
- Interior Asbestos Abatement and Demolition: to be complete September, 2023
- Exterior Façade Demolition: September, 2023
- Demolition of Building Structure: November, 2023
- Foundation Removal and Site Grading: November – December, 2023
Other
- Trade Contractor Procurement: ongoing
- Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection (MEPFp) Coordination: ongoing
- Shop Drawings / Submittals: ongoing
Watch the Progress
Demolition of the Park Science Building is complete and construction of the new building has begun. Watch this time-lapse video of progress made from July 10 through August 14, 2024.
Video credit: Skanska
Artist Renderings of the New Space
Take a sneak peak at the plans for the look of the outside and a few of the the interior spaces within the new Living and Learning Center.
A living and learning community
The Living and Learning Center will bring together the best of the college experience: dining, wellness/fitness, gathering spaces, and attractive and safe residence spaces. The LLC will provide a variety of opportunities for wellness, events, community-building, and lasting connections in a space that is more conducive to the needs of today's students. It will offer the type of modern living, athletic, study, and dining spaces that students are seeking, and serve as a welcoming, inclusive, accessible and vibrant epicenter for all members of our Simmons community.
The Student Affairs team is planning for the move to the new building in the fall of 2026. They expect to duplicate the community feel of the current residence campus in the new space in a variety of ways, including
- theme floors
- community events within the building
- student community events in the dining facility
- and more
The traditional on-campus undergraduate residential experience continues to be central to the Simmons mission. First year students are currently required to live on campus, a policy that will likely continue with the new Living and Learning Center.
Transitioning to the new residential space in the Living and Learning Center
Students will remain in our current residence halls until we take occupancy of the new Living and Learning Center. At that time, all of our undergraduates will start living in the new building.
Alumnae/i returning to campus for future Reunions will stay in the LLC. We can't wait to welcome you to the eighteenth floor for amazing views of Boston, and to hold alumnae/i events on the green roof-deck!
The new Lefavour Hall: a state-of-the-art science center and renovated library
The Park Science Center has been replaced by a carefully designed, fully modern science and library building that is now open. The design and project team took great care to ensure that the needs of faculty and students are not only met, but enhanced with this project. We are tremendously excited at what our students are already accomplishing in the new building.
Changes to the current residence campus
Simmons has entered into a 99-year ground lease agreement with development partner Skanska for the residence campus. The University continues to own the land.
Simmons chose Skanska because of the firm's expertise in green building and unique mix of global experience combined with a strong Boston-based team that has significant knowledge of this market. In addition, Skanska has developed a variety of programs and initiatives to further its commitment to women leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Just as important, this project and the mission of Simmons is important to Skanska.
Following the 99-year ground lease term, the land and the development on top of it will revert to Simmons ownership. At that time, the University can decide how best to utilize that location. The development, built by Skanska, will be owned by the University at that time.
Skanksa is planning to create a vibrant mixed-used development that will include 2.3 acres of open space, innovative workspaces, retail, active community amenities, rental housing, exterior and interior open spaces, wider sidewalks, and more bike and streetscape improvements. Many of these spaces will be open to the Simmons community and members of the public.
Demolition of the current residence campus will not begin until late 2026, at the earliest.
Alumnae/i are welcome to visit campus anytime, and can visit the residence campus before it is demolished. There will be opportunities to visit at Reunion.
We are considering a variety of ways to commemorate the residential campus and will share additional updates — including a process for alumnae/i to provide input.
Simmons is leasing this land for a variety of reasons.
- One of our many goals for the One Simmons campus redesign is to be fiscally prudent. Utilizing proceeds from a ground lease will help fund the construction of the Living and Learning Center.
- While the residential campus is a memorable part of the Simmons experience for many alumnae/i, the space has not felt as accessible for our commuter and graduate students.
- The current buildings on the residential campus, which are limited by their structures and age, make it impossible to offer the type of modern living, athletic, study, and dining spaces that students are seeking.