Northeastern University (NU) officials say the controversial East Village—formerly known as Grandmarc— dorm project will be ready to house students in January, a year and a half later than originally planned.
John Tobin, NU’s vice president of city and community affairs, told the Gazette last week that the building’s interior is nearly done, the last step before NU takes delivery of the facility.
The East Village project, located at 316 Huntington Ave., will allow NU to keep its promise to Mission Hill residents of 600 more on-campus beds.
Under the plan, developer PPC Land Ventures, Inc.—also known as Phoenix Landing and Lincoln Properties—purchased and demolished the YMCA’s gym, then built a 17-story dorm tower in its place. PPC will lease the dorm to NU long-term.
The dorm was originally slated to open in fall 2013, but was held up for about a year due to two Mission Hill- and Fenway-area resident lawsuits. The lawsuits were settled out of court in summer 2012, and the settlement may have included a payment of over $500,000.
The new Northeastern University East Village dorm rises above the YMCA at 316 Huntington Ave. (Gazette Photo by Rebeca Oliveira)