BOSTON – In a design-build partnership with architect Miller Dyer Spears and in collaboration with Compass Project Management, Shawmut preserved Boston University's historic Myles Standish Hall and incorporated modern amenities to foster a vibrant, living-learning community. The fully renovated residence hall, located at the intersection of Bay Street Road and Beacon Street in Boston’s Kenmore Square, welcomed students in August 2018.

The 30-month, phased renovation of the 203,000-square-foot building, originally built in 1926 as a hotel, was completed while the building remained operational and was designed to improve the undergraduate residential life experience for 730 students. With the primary objective of maximizing total bed count, the renovation reconfigured four-person and eight-person suites to enhance sharing and privacy. Feedback from students during extensive preconstruction planning was utilized in developing the final design of the residence, ensuring engagement from the Boston University community through an integrated project approach.

“We’re so proud to be part of Boston University’s evolving campus. After an extensive renovation, it’s exciting to see the bustling student life at Myles Standish Hall, our biggest project with BU to date,” said Kevin Sullivan, vice president at Shawmut. “Although working on a live campus in a tight urban setting saw its challenges, our highly experienced team implemented strategies to make the work as seamless as possible while allowing continuous student occupancy during construction.”

Targeting LEED Gold certification, the renewed Myles Standish Hall will use approximately 40.7% less energy and 42% less water than a baseline building. More than 80% of the overall façade was replaced with new stonework masonry, preserving the building’s historic character. Other upgrades include exterior envelope restoration, 100% window replacement, roof and MEP/FP replacements, site utility work, a storm water retention system, and other substantial site improvements.

New resident amenities include study, game, and music practice rooms, as well as communal kitchens. The renovation also incorporates public space in the area, establishing a 20,000-square-foot pocket park on the corner of Beacon Street and Bay State Road, which can be enjoyed by the BU community and public alike.

Shawmut’s work on Myles Standish Hall represents the latest in the firm’s extensive academic work, with current projects at Harvard University, Tufts University, and Brown University.