March 17, 2025

Ferris State breaks ground on game-changing residence hall with front-row views of championship action – and more!

Ferris State University broke ground on Monday on an innovative residence hall with views of Bulldogs’ football field, providing an unmatched student experience along with modern conveniences.

Ferris State President Bill Pink said the $38 million facility is part of an effort to update student living spaces. The state-of-the-art facility will wrap around the football stadium just beyond the north end zone. Students will be able to watch the three-time national champions from the comfort of their rooms.

“Ferris State students don’t just earn a degree—they embark on a life-changing journey filled with unforgettable experiences,” President Bill Pink said. “We have many cutting-edge classrooms and labs that prepare them for thriving careers. But residence halls are a key part of a dynamic campus buzzing with energy and opportunities. We’re reimagining campus living, ensuring our students have modern, comfortable spaces that meet their needs and enhance their college experience.”

Many of the rooms in the four-story building will overlook Top Taggart Field, which Pink envisions as being an entertainment complex used year-round for football and other activities.

 The new residence hall, expected to open in August 2026, will be the first in a planned series of upgrades and replacements to campus living spaces and athletic facilities.

The project is designed to have space for about 280 beds and common areas for recreation and studying as well as a market. First floor community spaces open out to the stadium – within range of a long field goal.

It’s believed to be the first residence hall attached to a large multipurpose stadium among Michigan’s 15 public universities. Cornerstone University, a private college in Grand Rapids, has a residence hall serving about 90 students attached to its baseball stadium.

The university plans to cover the cost of construction by issuing bonds.

The project, which has not yet been named, will be the university’s first new residence hall since North Hall opened in 2017.

Campus leaders are taking a hard look at the university’s existing living spaces, many of which were built in the middle of the last century.

Pink said the aging buildings have served the university well in their time, and many have had updates over the years. But the needs and expectations of students have changed, and the university’s facilities have to keep pace, whether it be learning spaces or living spaces.

North Hall, for example, is located in the center of campus alongside the David L. Eisler Center, a bustling hub of student activity. It has large community gathering areas, gaming centers, a fitness center, and a common kitchenette for student use.

The new building taps into Ferris State’s proud athletic tradition, with recent national championships in men’s basketball and football and success across many other programs.

Pink said the new stadium living space is not intended to be for student-athletes, though some may choose to live there.

INTEGRATED design SOLUTIONS is the architectural and engineering firm designing the project. The company has worked on a number of high-profile facilities at Michigan universities including the Tom Izzo Football Building at Michigan State University and the Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center at the University of Michigan.

Granger Construction has been selected to be the construction manager.  The company recently completed work on Ferris State’s historic Alumni Building and last year earned industry honors for its work on Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Piazza.

Both companies are headquartered in Michigan with offices in Grand Rapids.