WKU releases renderings of new residential complex
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University is unveiling new renderings for a major student housing project that will replace two of its oldest residence halls as part of a broader campus modernization effort.
President Timothy Caboni announced the first phase of what the university is calling “Elevate WKU,” a multi-year, multi-phase initiative aimed at transforming the undergraduate residential experience. The project will replace Douglas Keen and Hugh Poland Halls with a new, approximately 1,000-bed residential complex built on the same site atop the Hill.
The new facility will feature a mix of private and semi-private suite-style rooms, along with shared kitchens, collaborative lounges and modern study spaces designed to strengthen community and academic connections. Plans also include expanded space for Living Learning Communities, integrating where students live with how they learn.
University leaders say the project addresses aging infrastructure while modernizing campus housing to meet evolving student expectations. The design includes updated safety and security features, accessibility improvements, energy-efficient systems and technology-enabled learning spaces.
The housing transformation is being delivered through a public-private partnership with Gilbane, which was selected through a competitive process. The first phase represents an estimated $350 million investment, covering construction of the new residence hall, debt defeasance tied to the Student Life Foundation and renovations to other existing facilities.
The project received pre-development approval from the WKU Board of Regents in December and is expected to return for final approval in late spring or early summer 2026. Construction is anticipated to begin soon after, with the new residence hall projected to open in fall 2028.
University officials say replacing Douglas Keen and Hugh Poland Halls is a strategic first step, targeting some of the most dated housing on campus while setting a new standard for comfort, sustainability and student-centered design at WKU.
