Florida A&M University unveils renderings for a new 500-bed residence hall

New renderings for a proposed dorm on Florida A&M’s campus have been revealed.

The new dorm has not yet been constructed but it’s part of an $11 million investment to bring more student housing to FAMU.

Last March, the FAMU Board of Trustees (BOT) approved a $429,521 contract with JRA Architects in Tallahassee to draw up plans for a new and improved resident hall.

Paddyfote, a once co-ed dorm on campus, was demolished in 2021, and JRA President David Vincent said a 500-bed mixed-use facility will be built in its place.

FAMU

“It's what we call a Georgian style architecture," Vincent told WFSU on Tuesday. "It includes brick gables, arched openings, brick with cast stone, [and] a lot of masonry."

JRA Architects designed the Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) Building on Althea Gibson Way, formerly known as Wahnish Way.

The University recently released the renderings, resembling some of the campus' older halls.

"Just the outward appearance in the building would have to be contextualized with the buildings around it in the center core of the campus," said Vincent.

The four-story building will be designed to include retail and office space on the first floor. But due to limited funds, the university nor JRA, could say exactly when it will be built.

Florida A&M University recently released the renderings for the proposed 500-bed dormitory. (Provided by Florida A&M University)

FAMU is still working on getting their new 800-bed facility off the ground.

The FAMU BOT approved $605,020 for CHASM Architecture of Atlanta for the engineering and architecture services. That dorm will go on Althea Gibson Way and it will include space for the Office of University Housing, which is located in the CASS Building.

Meanwhile, a new 700-bed dorm off Osceola Street is expected to be complete this summer, bringing the total number of on-campus beds to over 3,000.