A new Stockton University residence hall will bring 416 beds to the corner of Atlantic and South Providence avenues in Atlantic City’s Chelsea Heights section. — Courtesy: Stockton
By Joshua Burd
Stockton University is nearing completion of the new six-story, 416-bed residence hall that will mark the latest addition to its growing Atlantic City campus.
The school last week said it was planning a May 3 ribbon-cutting for the project, which is being spearheaded by the Atlantic City Development Corp. Located at the corner of Atlantic and South Providence avenues, the 135,000-square-foot building will have apartment- and suite-style units that typically include four single bedrooms, a common area, two bathrooms and a full kitchen, along with amenities and views of the beach, the boardwalk and O’Donnell Memorial Park.
It will open in the city’s Chelsea Heights section alongside two existing Stockton buildings, which were built as part of AC Devco’s recent Atlantic City Gateway project.
“We are excited to build off of the success of Phase I in providing students with a unique and exciting experience in Atlantic City,” said Steven Radwanski, the executive director of residential life for Stockton. “We have worked closely throughout the project to ensure students have lounge space on every floor to relax, meet with others and be successful at Stockton. We are excited to open the building so everyone can see the positive impact it will have on the community.”
The new residence hall has replaced the Eldredge Building, a six-story commercial property built in 1924. According to the university, the property will also have a lounge on each floor, a meeting room, a business center and laundry facilities, while the project has incorporated many of the concepts from the initial phase, including room layouts.
Construction is once again taking place through a public-private partnership with AC Devco. The initial $210 million project, which stretched from early 2017 to late 2018, included both the first phase of Stockton’s new campus and a new headquarters tower for South Jersey Gas.
Construction on the second residence hall is proceeding on schedule, while most of the building’s façade is complete, according to Mark Ciccotelli, the project manager. He added that most of the dry wall for the suites is up and that crews are now installing tile, showers and toilets in the bathrooms.
“As some of the stoves and refrigerators are being installed, it’s exciting to really start to visualize how the living areas are going to come together,” Ciccotelli said. “It’s going to be an amazing addition to Stockton Atlantic City.”
Radwanski said a small number of first-year students will be able to live in the new residence hall.
