As Lehigh University embarks on its 10-year Path to Prominence, the university plans to deliver state-of-the-art campus facilities to attract new enrollment and increase institutional capacity. One of the key projects is SouthSide Commons, the first privatized on-campus residential community.

One of the main tenets of the Path to Prominence is Expansion, and the university committed to investing into the broadening of Lehigh’s academic footprint while fostering a creative and collaborative environment. With a need to understand how living options could support this expansion, B&D led Lehigh through an active project definition phase, working with the leadership team to define and verify the student housing program. After confirming the feasibility of a 426-bed apartment-style housing concept, B&D participated in the solicitation and evaluation of development teams, maximizing the university’s interests in the partnership.

The $48M SouthSide Commons is the largest residential facility on campus and offers apartments targeting upper-level undergraduates and transfer, international, and graduate students. The residence hall will strengthen the connection between the campus and surrounding South Bethlehem.