Texas Tech Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

Approved by the Board of Regents in February, Texas Tech University regents and officials broke ground today (May 11) on a new 516-bed residence hall at 18th Street & Boston Avenue. The $45 million project is a response to the university’s enrollment growth.

“As we work toward our goal of enrolling 40,000 students by 2020, it is vital that the university accommodates this growth and provides the facilities necessary for our students’ continued success,” said Kent Hance, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. “The new addition of the residence hall and dining facility will not only be a great place for our students, but will also serve as a beautiful cornerstone to the campus.”

The Boston Avenue Residence Hall and Dining Facility is scheduled for completion in time for the fall 2012 semester. The 178,000 square foot facility will feature private bedrooms, shared living areas, ceiling fans, microwave ovens, refrigerators, Ethernet connections in each room and other amenities. Additionally, 22,000 square feet will accommodate a dining facility, which will include a mini market and various food vendors. The project will add approximately 500 parking spaces.

“We have made tremendous strides in retention and growth over the last decade,” said Guy Bailey, Texas Tech president. “Interest in Texas Tech University continues to grow and we are seeing that trend in interest at recruiting events. More and more prospective students are aware of the high quality of education they can receive at Texas Tech.”

The fall 2010, fall 2009 and spring 2011 semesters, respectively, are the top three semesters by enrollment since the university opened its doors in 1925. Since fall 2001, the university has experienced a 23.7 percent growth in enrollment.

BOKA Powell LLC of Dallas designed the building as part of a Design Build Team with Austin Commercial L.P. The project is managed internally by the Texas Tech University System’s Facilities Planning and Construction office.

Contact: Ross John Narvaeth, senior project manager, Texas Tech Facilities Planning and Construction, (806) 742-2116 or Ross.John.Narvaeth@ttu.edu.