News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Photo credit: Florida Tech
With the snip of oversized scissors and a red ribbon floating to the ground, Florida Tech officially opened Crimson Crossing, a new, 556-bed on-campus public-private partnership (“P3”) development.
Opened in August 2026 ahead of the fall semester, Crimson Crossing was developed to expand Florida Tech’s on-campus housing capacity, especially for first-year students and sophomores.
On-campus living is a key factor in retaining students, with studies showing that 92 percent of first-year students living on-campus re-enrolling for their second year (ACUHO-i), and 15 percent more likely to graduate within four years (UConn).
Florida Tech leaders saw a powerful opportunity: help more students stay enrolled, earn their degrees on time, and build a strong connection to campus, all while prepping the Melbourne, Fl. university for future enrollment growth.
A major part of that plan is the school’s two-year on-campus live-on requirement. With limited exceptions, full-time undergraduate students are expected to live in university housing during their first two years. The goal is simple: give new students the support, friendships, programs, and day-to-day connection to campus that can help them succeed.
But over the last several years, Florida Tech’s enrollment growth impacted their ability to guarantee enough on-campus beds for first-years and sophomores. As a result, the university decided to suspend their two-year live-on requirement and only require first-year students to live on campus. Florida Tech needed room for a growing student body, and it didn’t have enough on-campus beds to meet the demand.
That’s where Crimson Crossing comes in. The new apartment-style community gives students the modern on-campus living experience they want, while expanding Florida Tech’s on-campus capacity. It’s more than a new building; it’s also a smart move to help more Panthers begin strong, stay on track, and graduate on time. And, as Florida Tech’s student population continues to evolve, Crimson Crossing is intended to be the first of a multi-phased effort by the university to redevelop some of Florida Tech’s aging, on-campus housing inventory.
B&D is proud to serve as development advisor on this project. Learn more about Crimson Crossing here.
