Proposed Site Plan: The proposed project includes a series of four residence halls. Living space is in yellow, common areas are in blue and the University-operated and student retail is in pink. The parking structure is situated in the lower right of the site plan.

Aerial: The proposed residence halls are designed in the collegiate Gothic style that is prevalent throughout most of campus. The halls follow along of Route 30/Lancaster Avenue to provide a continual view of the central landmark of campus: the St. Thomas of Villanova Church.

Pedestrian Overpass: In response to Township and neighbor feedback, the Design Concept now includes a pedestrian overpass at Church Walk. With 70% of classrooms located on the western part of main campus, this overpass is well-situated to attract significant use from students on south campus and the proposed residence halls.

Lancaster Avenue Looking East: The proposed project would create a new University hub along the south side of Route 30/Lancaster Avenue.

Facades Along Lancaster Avenue: The proposed residence halls are designed to be four and five stories in many places, with a lower number of stories closer to Route 30/Lancaster Avenue. The housing would provide approximately 1,160 beds, and allow the University to house 85% of its undergraduate students. As with similar past projects (South and West Campuses), this project would not lead to an increase in undergraduate student enrollment.

Lancaster Avenue Looking West: The Performing Arts Center would be located in front of the parking structure at the southeast corner of Ithan Avenue and Route 30/Lancaster Avenue.

Quad Walkway: The proposed residence halls would feature a series of outside courtyards connected by a walkway. The buildings would be designed to maximize the natural light in these open spaces.

View from Aldwyn Triangle: A world-class design and significant landscaping throughout the project would improve the aesthetics of the space that is currently a non-descript parking lot.

Setback Illustration: Residence Hall setback from Lancaster Ave is minimum of 45 feet and will be greater in many areas. Proposed setback elements include a fence, trees, plantings and a wide sidewalk.

Courtyard View Looking East: The Design Concept features two large courtyards facing Lancaster Avenue designed to break up the streetscape and provide outdoor gathering spots for students.

Courtyard View Looking West: Along with two smaller courtyards facing SEPTA's R100 tracks, the larger courtyards along Lancaster Avenue add significant green space to limit impervious surface and assist with stormwater management.

South of Lancaster Avenue

Villanova University would like to create residential housing for approximately 1,160 junior and senior undergraduate students on its current main parking lots along Route 30/Lancaster Avenue. These residences will be complemented by a limited amount of University-operated and student-centric retail, including a new University Bookstore, Convenience Store and Villanova Bistro.

The proposed plans also include a parking structure to accommodate approximately 1,230 vehicles, and a Performing Arts Center to support Villanova Theatre, Student Theatre and related campus programs.

Already underway are initiatives designed to make Villanova University’s campus more interconnected, safe and aesthetically beautiful, but there remains a growing desire among undergraduate students for additional opportunities to live on campus. This proposed project would help by allowing for 85% of Villanova’s undergraduate student body to live on-campus all four years.

If approved, the project would greatly improve the attractiveness of the visual landscape on Lancaster Avenue, position Villanova University more competitively among its peer institutions and increase student and parent satisfaction.

Because the project is designed to shift students who currently live in nearby areas back on campus, traffic overall will be reduced. Neighborhoods will see fewer cars and less congestion. 

The Public Safety Department will be relocated to the first floor of the parking structure. This will provide the department with a more centralized location, providing better access and quicker response time to all parts of campus.

There also is an environmental benefit to the proposed project. LEED-certified buildings, green space and plantings will replace the current impervious parking lots. In addition, storm water management will be greatly enhanced through the use of  state-of-the-art systems that will improve the way run-off water is managed both on and off campus.