Macalester College plans to create a new residence hall and welcome center at Grand Avenue and Macalester Street by 2027.

The college’s campus plan — completed in 2023 — noted a critical need for a new “front door” to campus to welcome visitors and prospective students as well as more residential housing.

While Macalester already has housing for first and second year students, the hope is to expand housing opportunities for third and fourth year students, according to college officials.

Though the architectural plan is still in the works, the building is expected to match Macalester’s brick campus and the urban design on Grand Avenue, said Deanna Seppanen, director of Macalester’s High Winds Fund.

The project focuses on sustainability and carbon neutrality and will include state of the art geothermal technology, solar panels and landscape that includes native plants are included in the plan.

“The new residence hall and welcome center is an important investment in Macalester’s future,” Macalester president Suzanne M. Rivera said in a statement. “The building will serve as a new front door to our college, provide a residential experience to more of our students, and enhance our presence in the neighborhood.”

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