BOSTON, MA Shawmut Design and Construction joined University of Massachusetts - Boston, Capstone Development Partners, and Elkus Manfredi Architects last week for the topping-off ceremony of the university's first on-campus residential facility.

Set to open in the fall of 2018, the 260,000-square-foot private-public project will consist of two buildings, ranging from seven to twelve stories, and will achieve a long-held goal of providing students with an on-campus residential option. It will also include living-learning amenities such as seminar rooms, study lounges, a 23,000-square-foot dining hall, and other conveniences to promote academic and personal development.

"We're proud to be part of this new and innovative public-private partnership model," said Kevin Sullivan, Vice President at Shawmut. "This partnership is a true collaborative effort and we are excited to contribute to UMass Boston's goal of adding residence life to the campus."

The new residence hall will offer a mixture of styles ranging from single-occupancy apartments to four-person units, along with flexible living-learning spaces. The project will also form the new northern gateway to campus, and is part of the university's 25-year Campus Master Plan. Shawmut has recently completed projects at Northeastern University, Harvard University, Boston College, Boston University, and Brown University.