UofM Breaks Ground on New Apartment-Style Housing
Park Avenue Campus to Grow Thanks to Public-Private Partnership
October 8, 2024 — University of Memphis officials and supporters gathered under a clear fall sky Tuesday, Oct. 8, to break ground on what is only the second project of its type approved in Tennessee — a public-private partnership that will introduce true apartment-style housing to campus, expanding residence life options for UofM students.
The complex, which will open in the fall of 2026, is a partnership between the University
and The Annex Group, a national developer.
UofM President Bill Hardgrave and Board of Trustees Chairman Cato Johnson kicked off the celebration, both calling the Park Avenue project a long time in the making.
“With this new addition of 500-plus beds, it will go a long way to impacting the success of our students,” said Hardgrave.
Other speakers included Rene Bustamante, UofM executive vice president and chief operations officer/chief financial officer; Tom Tomaszewski, president of The Annex Group; Tim Duncan, UofM senior deputy athletics director; and Melinda Carlson, UofM vice president of Student Affairs.
“This is a win-win for our community and our city,” said Bustamante. “This was the second public-private project approved in the state of Tennessee for housing. For us, this was a moment we needed to meet, and we met it.”
The student housing development, which will include 540 beds, will be part of the Park Avenue Campus. The housing available to students and student-athletes will consist of four-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio-style units.
It will include study spaces, social spaces and outdoor living areas along with other amenities such as grab-and-go dining options. This new project will provide unparalleled residential experiences for students to learn, study, play, relax and grow.
Other project partners include Raymond James, Burch Porter Johnson, Madrone Community Development Corporation, PRK, Pinnacle Development Group, Burr and Cole, Regions Bank and Brailsford and Dunlavey.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Godwin
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