BATON ROUGE — LSU and developer RISE won the Best Campus Project at the P3 Higher Education Summit last week. 

The partnership was awarded at the summit held in San Francisco on Nov. 4 and 5. The award recognizes excellence in the development and delivery of residential facilities through a public-private partnership.

LSU and RISE's partnership launched in February 2016 to meet surging demand for upperclassman and graduate housing while reimagining 28 acres of underutilized university land along Nicholson Drive.

The redevelopment initiative spanned several projects and saw 4,782 student bedspaces and more than 2 million square feet of space made available to students. Approximately $580 million was spent across the four phases of the project. 

Between 2016 and 2018, the partnership developed Nicholson Gateway and Spruce Hall. Between 2017 and 2019, Cedar, Evangeline and Highland halls were expanded. 

Between 2019 and 2021, Azalea and Camellia halls were added, with 2025 seeing the start of the South Quad development featuring Pelican and Crane halls. This final phase is expected to be finished in 2027.

"Our partnership with RISE has transformed underutilized spaces into modern residential communities that enhance the student experience and support LSU's continued growth," LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton said. "This national recognition reflects what we can accomplish through thoughtful planning, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence."