Simmons University celebrated a major milestone on its “One Simmons” campus transformation with a topping-off ceremony for its new Living and Learning Center, a 19-story building that will reshape student life in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area.
Built in partnership with Skanska, the 385,000-square-foot facility will offer integrated residential, dining, wellness, athletic, and academic spaces. Designed to house nearly 1,100 students, the building will also include a two-story dining hall, multi-purpose event venues, and a comprehensive athletic center complete with a swimming pool, gymnasium, and fitness studios.
“This is a pivotal moment in our journey to unify and modernize Simmons,” said President Lynn Perry Wooten. “This new Living and Learning Center supports our mission to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and community they need to succeed.”
Scheduled to open in January 2027, the building features 14 residential floors with climate-controlled rooms, study lounges, and sustainable furnishings. Room options include ADA-compliant singles, doubles, triples, and four-person “pods.”
The ceremony included speeches from project leaders and Simmons officials, with the symbolic final steel beam hoisted into place bearing the signatures of students, staff, and construction partners. An evergreen tree and U.S. flag atop the beam honored tradition in the steel industry.
“This project not only enhances Simmons but also strengthens the fabric of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area,” said Bryan Northrop, Executive VP of Skanska’s New England region.
The Living and Learning Center is Simmons’ biggest capital project to date and sets the stage for the next phase: Longwood Place, a transformative 1.7 million-square-foot mixed-use development on the current Simmons residence campus.
Simmons continues to innovate as Boston’s only women-centered undergraduate institution, with programs like Simmons Edge bridging the gap between education and career advancement.
“This building reflects our bold vision and commitment to gender equity, student success, and community well-being,” President Wooten added.
