Gilbane Development Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

Gilbane Development Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project
News| October 28, 2026| Jasmine Kilman
Chicago & Midwest + Student Housing

Gilbane Development has broken ground on The Southern Gateway, the first phase of “Elevate WKU,” a transformative $350 million public-private partnership with Western Kentucky University (WKU) to reimagine its on-campus housing.

“With shovels now in the ground, Elevate WKU is one step closer to revitalizing aging campus infrastructure and delivering a modern, community-focused campus experience for today and tomorrow’s Hilltoppers,” said James Patchett, President and CEO of Gilbane Development. “When the dormitory and dining facility opens in fall 2028, students will immediately benefit from a new living-learning environment designed to boost connection and drive academic success.”

Scheduled to open in fall 2028, The Southern Gateway will bring an approximately 1,000-bed residential community on the former site of Hugh Poland and Douglas Keen Halls, two of WKU’s oldest residence halls. As the largest residential investment in WKU’s history, Elevate WKU will replace aging campus housing with new living-learning environments.

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