Rocklin, Calif. – William Jessup University, the Sacramento area’s only residential four-year private university, formally unveiled its new residence hall Monday morning, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the nearly $13 million campus expansion that houses 210 students.
The new, three-story 40,000-square-foot building is adjacent to the new University Avenue entrance to the 125-acre Rocklin campus. The appealing design of the new residence hall, coupled with the new University Avenue entrance, dramatically changes the face and footprint of the growing university.
There were many Rocklin dignitaries, university officials, and students gathered at the morning ceremony.
“This latest expansion is a very exciting addition that allows over 200 students the opportunity to live and learn on campus,” said Dr. John Jackson, President of William Jessup University. “Providing additional on-campus housing is a top priority of the university as we grow our enrollment and enhance our campus community.”
The residence hall features a substantial common area for study on the second and third floors and a large cantilever deck overlooking the entrance to campus. The deck also houses a fire pit that includes a barbecue area and benches that wrap around the triangular space. This area will be known as the “Alumni Courtyard.”
General contractor for the new residence hall project was Reeve-Knight Construction Inc., while The Taylor Group served as the project architects. The two companies earlier collaborated on Jessup’s award-winning apartment building complex completed in 2009.
The Taylor Group’s design of the student apartments earned the company an Award of Honor from the American Institute of Architects San Joaquin Chapter, based on excellence in design. This is the third major expansion project for William Jessup University, which transformed the former Herman Miller furniture factory into a vibrant campus in 2004.
The Taylor Group is credited with strategically preserving the original conversion of the Herman Miller Furniture factory, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, to the existing look of the William Jessup campus.
The residence hall also features attractive landscaping around the building with a double-door entry, elevator, study balconies, laundry facilities, additional storage lockers, wireless Internet and basic television service.
“William Jessup continues to make impressive strides since relocating to Rocklin nearly 12 years ago,” said Mike West, Chairman of the William Jessup University Board of Trustees. “We are thrilled to be opening our doors and creating a new home for more students.”
Key features of the new residence hall include:
- An expansive overhanging deck
- Wireless internet
- Cable television
- Laundry facilities
- Large study areas
- Storage lockers
- Three common spaces
- Separate male/female entrances
- Fire pit
- Barbecue area
