<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0jaqZp_1EsnScAb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0jaqZp_1EsnScAb00" width="2000" height="1500" ><figcaption>Students walk along Haley Concourse past Concourse Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Auburn, Ala.</figcaption></figure>Starting Fall 2026, Auburn University officially opened Concourse Hall, its newest co-ed residence hall for freshmen.Located across from the Haley Center in the heart of campus, the new residence hall allows students easy access to academic buildings, dining facilities and many other community centers throughout campus.Concourse Hall provides 371 new beds for freshmen students, along with many other features designed to make incoming students feel right at home. Throughout the first floor of the building, there are multiple common areas that students have access to 24/7 and can use however they want.These spaces combine comfort and convenience with features like multiple cable TVs that support HDMI devices, allowing students to use their own FireSticks or gaming systems. The large seating areas can also be arranged to fit students' needs and can be used as a tornado shelter in the event of an emergency.The Hall provides an extra layer of security by requiring students to have proper access for entry. Throughout the hallways, each floor has its own accent color such as navy blue, green, orange or lime that the walls and furniture coordinate with.On each floor, residents have access to additional features like laundry rooms with four washers and dryers, and a convenient app that tells residents when their laundry is done, so they can avoid waiting for their laundry to finish. Much like the bottom floor, there are smaller lounges and study spaces that include various power outlets and whiteboards that provide a space for students to study, connect with friends or simply entertain.The rooms themselves also have special features. Residents don't have traditional keys to access their rooms; instead, phones are used to unlock the doors. One small but significant detail is that the HVAC systems are on the outside of the rooms, so maintenance staff can change filters without needing to enter.Each room includes two beds with movable storage underneath, a closet and a desk. Bathrooms are shared between two rooms, with a shower on one side and a toilet on the other. Students are able to create their own setup, and in case there is a need for a little inspiration, showrooms designed to give students an idea of how they can personalize their space and make it their own are provided.Future plans have been made for dining services to move into a new area of the building, so students will have access to it without needing to leave the complex.While the building's amenities offer students modern conveniences, its location may be one of its biggest advantages. Concourse Hall provides access to multiple dining options, including Melton Student Center directly across the street. Many students living there can reach their classes within approximately 5 to 6 minutes. The engineering buildings and other major campus facilities are in close proximity to the residence hall and students can reach the ACLC and downtown within a short walk.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1FM0T8_1EsnScAb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1FM0T8_1EsnScAb00" width="600" height="338" ></figure>Nyerere Tryman, executive director of University Housing, has been with Auburn since 2022 and has witnessed the university's growth and changing housing needs firsthand. As part of University Housing, Tryman has been involved in the transition to Concourse Hall and the expansion of Auburn's housing options.Concourse Hall’s opening is not only beneficial to students, but faculty and staff are also getting to enjoy its benefits.Since its opening, Tryman has been able to experience the vivid and bustling campus life as students move between classes and Aubie rides throughout campus because of its location right on the concourse.“Being on the periphery of campus you don’t get the life,” Tryman said. “When class change happens, it just comes to life and one of the most surprising things is, I've seen Aubie so many times riding up and down on his cart and he seems like he's having a really good time, and it was a good surprise.”Before moving into the new building, Tryman and other housing staff were located in three different buildings: Matthews, Holloway and Talon. As buildings were being renovated, the housing staff also had to move between the three locations.“Depending on what you came over for, I could have sent you to one of three different buildings,” Tryman said. “If you wanted to come for a tour, and you came to Matthews, I was going to say you have to go to Talon, but if you came to Talon looking for one of the resident life people I would say you have to go to Holloway, so you can see how us being in three different buildings presented a challenge.”Having all of the housing services together in one building makes it much easier to aid students. Instead of having to walk between multiple buildings, they can simply walk down the hallway to speak with another colleague. Students can come to the front desk, explain what they need and be directed to the correct person.Plans for the building were originally designed in 2019. In September 2019, the project was taken to the Board of Trustees, but due to COVID-19 and other circumstances, the project was put on hold. By the time Tryman arrived in 2022, the building was already mostly designed.There were some changes and smaller details that were adjusted, but the project was brought back to the board around 2023, and the notice to proceed with construction was given on March 4, 2024. The building reached substantial completion on May 31, 2026.Its central location in the heart of campus may be ideal for students; however, it did pose some problems for its construction. Finding enough space to unload and store supplies was challenging. When large trucks came in, material sometimes had to be transferred to smaller trucks, so they could be brought into the construction area, adding time to the construction process.The addition of Concourse Hall stems from Auburn's rapidly growing student population. When Tryman arrived in 2022, the university had approximately 31,000 students. Since then, enrollment has increased to approximately 35,000 students, including continued growth in the freshman class.This growth has contributed to the demand for student housing, with this year's freshman enrollment being over 6,000 students. Tryman also highlighted that this building gives students the opportunity to be among the first people to live there, and in the future, when students return as alumni, they will be able to say that they were among the first residents of the building.Housing projects are not ending with Concourse Hall and are expanding to residence halls that have stood on Auburn's campus for years. Auburn plans to renovate several existing residence halls with the same finishes as the new Concourse Hall. Owen and Keller are currently being renovated followed by Broun, Harper, Little and Teague, with the remaining halls being Lane, Lupton, Glenn and Dowdell.These renovations will return the buildings to Auburn's housing portfolio. A main priority for the department is that the amenities match throughout older and newer buildings, including features like Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and kitchens. Keyless entry is also being added to several newer and renovated halls.Not only will older buildings be getting a makeover, but the completion of Concourse Hall is expected to support additional housing projects in the future. One of those projects is the East Thach Residence Hall.Replacing the old Cambridge Hall, adjacent to The Laurel and the Auburn University Hotel, the project will provide approximately 700 additional beds. Unlike Concourse Hall, East Thach will be more limited on office and staff spaces. Construction for this new residence hall has already begun and the project is expected to be completed around Fall 2028.The Concourse Hall project cost approximately $75 million for its 371 beds, while the upcoming East Thach Residence Hall is expected to cost approximately $100 million for 700 beds. The cost of these projects is another factor Auburn must consider as it works to meet the growing demand for student housing while managing the financial responsibilities that come with expanding its housing portfolio.The development of these new projects will continue to be highlighted by University Housing as it strives to better the Auburn campus community.“We’re excited to have the building. We've shown it to multiple constituencies, so they’re aware of it and we're excited to be able to house more people which is the most important thing and we’ll continue to make sure we're appropriately marketing this space and we hope that folks will come by and see us,” Tryman said.</div></body>

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Starting Fall 2026, Auburn University officially opened Concourse Hall, its newest co-ed residence hall for freshmen. Located across from the Haley Center in the heart of campus, the new residence hall allows students easy access to academic buildings, dining facilities and many other community centers throughout campus. Concourse Hall provides...

Auburn University expands on-campus housing, opens Concourse Hall

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Starting Fall 2026, Auburn University officially opened Concourse Hall, its newest co-ed residence hall for freshmen. Located across from the Haley Center 

Auburn University expands on-campus housing, opens Concourse Hall

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