A major new development is set to reshape downtown West Palm Beach as Gilbane, in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), has reached financial close on a $240 million public-private partnership aimed at expanding student housing and enhancing the city’s urban core. The project, approved by the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners, will deliver a 25-story, mixed-use student housing tower at the intersection of Acacia Road and Dixie Highway, adding much-needed residential capacity for the university’s growing student population.
The 319,000-square-foot development will include 990 student beds across 275 apartment-style units, along with extensive amenities designed to enrich campus life and foster community engagement. Additional components include a 28,000-square-foot dining hall, a 14,000-square-foot fitness and recreation center, and an 8.5-level parking garage offering 704 spaces, as well as over 230 stalls for bicycles and e-bikes. The project is funded through revenue-backed bonds issued by Palm Beach County, ensuring no direct use of taxpayer funds.
“This project will provide more housing options for students and help ease pressure on the local housing market,” said Jeffrey Resetco, Senior Development Director at Gilbane Development. “We are committed to delivering state-of-the-art facilities that support student life and contribute to the broader vitality of downtown West Palm Beach.”
The initiative is a collaborative effort among multiple firms, with Gilbane Development serving as project developer, Gilbane Building as the design-builder, and Cube3 leading the architectural design. Urban Design Studio, Shutts & Bowen, and Kimley-Horn contributed expertise in planning, legal, and traffic engineering to secure entitlements and refine the project’s scope. The tower’s design draws from the architectural language and vibrancy of downtown West Palm Beach, aligning with city priorities for connectivity, sustainability, and walkability.
Gilbane, Inc., a private holding company with a more than 155-year history, is one of the oldest and largest family-owned construction, investment, and real estate development firms in the world. Gilbane Development is the project development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, providing a full slate of real estate development and property management services. Gilbane Building is a full-service construction services firm providing preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services on some of the nation’s most complex projects. Gilbane’s Public Private Partnership Group has delivered or has underway more than $4.4 billion in P3 projects for healthcare, higher education, K-12 schools, and federal/state/municipal clients.
Construction is slated to begin in summer 2025, with completion targeted for August 2027, in time for the 2027-2028 academic year.
PBA President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn emphasized the project’s significance for both the university and the surrounding community. “This transformative development reflects our commitment to whole-person education and our role in shaping downtown West Palm Beach, now recognized as Wall Street South,” Schwinn said.
The student-focused design incorporates a range of indoor and outdoor spaces to promote academic success, well-being, and social connection. Lounges for games, study, wellness, and relaxation will complement outdoor pathways and landscaped areas aimed at encouraging environmental mindfulness and community interaction. The pedestrian-friendly infrastructure includes ADA-compliant features, smart parking technology, and green elements to integrate the development within the city’s evolving urban environment.
Once complete, the project is expected to bolster student housing capacity, reduce off-campus housing demand, and support West Palm Beach’s ongoing growth as both an educational hub and a destination for investment and development.