Developing for the future through Simmons’ Living and Learning Center
At Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, Skanska’s USA Commercial Development (CDUS) and USA Building (USB) teams have partnered with Simmons University to construct the new Simmons University Living and Learning Center (LLC). This landmark facility is a crucial piece in the university's One Simmons Master Plan. Upon completion, it will allow the next phase of that plan, which is for Skanska to develop the Longwood Place project on their Residence Campus. Construction is 20 percent complete on the Living and Learning Center and our team is working towards a summer 2025 topping out milestone.
Skanska is partnering with Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, to construct the Living and Learning Center, as a part of the university's plan for consolidating its campuses. Get an inside look at the project coming to life through this timelapse video highlighting recent construction activities. (Video credit: Evercam)
“I’m excited that Skanska is assisting Simmons University in achieving their ‘One Simmons’ vision, creating a renewed singular campus that will serve the University well for generations to come,” says Executive Vice President—General Manager Bryan Northrop.
‘One Simmons’ is Simmons University’s bold vision for unifying its campus to support its entire academic community. Modernizing the living and learning experience for all Simmons students enables a redevelopment that will enhance Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area. Successfully delivering the LLC in 2026 is the first step in bringing that vision to life.
After completing the LLC, Skanska will have the green light to develop the transformational Longwood Place project—a hub of sustainable research and workspaces, active community amenities, housing and an inclusive public realm in the Longwood Medical Area.

(Rendering credit: Simmons University)
A different kind of higher education project
The LLC is currently Skanska’s largest higher education project in New England.
“It’s a singular, 18-story high-rise building that will house three separate functions that are traditionally not housed within a single building on a college campus,” says Bryan. “Under one roof, there will be student housing, dining facilities and athletic/recreation facilities.”
Bryan believes the mixed-use nature of the LLC will be a model for others in higher education. “I think others with limited space will draw inspiration from what we’re doing here, and consider multi-use buildings for their own campuses.”
Less buildings on campus benefits the environment too. Consolidating campus facilities results in a better utilization of both land and built space, and enables greater energy efficiencies overall.
Speaking from the CDUS side, Executive Vice President Russell DeMartino explains that the LLC is unlike anything Skanska has ever done due to the nature of the development model. Skanska and Simmons agreed for Skanska to pay for the development land by constructing the LLC. “This is the epitome of using the Skanska business model to do something that few others are doing,” says Russell.
So far, the LLC has been a fresh environment for Skanska’s USB and CDUS business units to collaborate and support our client more effectively.
“Since the outset, we’ve solved problems together, with Simmons’ well-being and success in mind,” says Russ. “I get excited when I think about taking this style of teamwork with us to future projects.”
That united front is making an impact on the team at Simmons too.
“Partnering and working with Skanska was the smartest and most strategic decision Simmons could make. Since beginning work, the experience has far exceeded my expectations,” says Laura Brink Pisinski, vice president of university real estate and facility management.
“Skanska teams are thoughtful, careful, smart, strategic, inclusive and collaborative,” she continues. “They deliver on the promise to be hand-in-hand partners with us every day. The team’s creativity, thoughtful nature and genuine respect and care for one another inspires me. This respect and care is extended to Simmons - every conversation includes a statement of ‘what is best for Simmons.’.”
Partnering with Simmons to build safely and sustainably
On the LLC project, living out Skanska’s Commit to Customer value has meant committing to students who currently call Simmons home.
Offering informal “office hours” is one rhythm that has been a part of that journey. The Q&A-style gatherings are held on a regular basis to keep everyone connected to the broader ‘One Simmons’ vision.
“We conceptualized office hours as a way to keep the Simmons community informed and excited about the project,” says Russell. “Because projects of this size and nature are years in the making, we wanted to have a way to let students and faculty see and imagine how the final product will add to the campus.”
With many project milestones still to come, office hours will remain a forum for relaying updates and building rapport with students, faculty and the wider community.
“Another one of the keys to properly committing to Simmons isn’t just building a quality building, but also having a quality development and construction process that delights them,” says Russell. “That means minimizing disruption during construction and making decisions with the constant goal of adding to their success.”
Early on in construction, one Construction Work Plan involved conducting a demolition operation 18 feet from an occupied building and near a public walkway. Demolition posed a line of fire hazard.
To minimize disruption to the campus and ensure the safety of everyone on and around the project site during demolition, the team had to get creative. They partnered with the subcontractor to produce a 16' X 60' steel protective barrier that could be used during demolition to prevent flying debris.

To ensure the safety of everyone on and around the project site during a required demolition, the project team partnered with the subcontractor to produce a 16' X 60' steel plate protective barrier. Utilizing the barrier during demolition prevented flying debris from occurring during demolition, eliminating a line of fire hazard for occupants of a nearby building. (Photo credit: Evercam)
A shared commitment to Care for Life also shows up in the team’s concern for the environment and active commitment to develop sustainably.
The LLC is targeting LEED v4 Gold certification and incorporating sustainable features throughout, including a green roof and low-emitting materials. Methods are in place to ensure between 75 and 90 percent of materials are recycled during construction.
Protecting and investing in surrounding green spaces is underway too.
Team members are working closely with arborists and ecologists to ensure the health and sustainability of the neighborhood’s urban green spaces. Additionally, as part of the Longwood Place development, CDUS has committed to an unprecedented $7 million endowment for the Boston Parks and Recreation Department is in place to support the needs of Emerald Necklace for years to come.
An energizing space for students and Boston
Skanska and Simmons are focused on shaping an environment that benefits both students and the greater Boston community long into the future.
“I view this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand and improve the Longwood Medical and Academic Area and deliverable tangible benefits to the Greater Boston community,” says Bryan.
Some standout benefits from developing Longwood Place, a mixed-use development inclusive of up to 1.7 million square feet of life science and research space, office space, retail, and residential uses, will include:
- A $20 million package for the improvement of the public realm and transportation infrastructure on and around the site, including landscaped areas on site, wider sidewalks, multi-modal options and safety enhancements
- Up to approximately 15,000-square-feet of community space and at least 2.6 acres—43 percent of the total site area—of publicly accessible exterior open space for passive and active uses
- Approximately 388 new rental units, 20 percent of which will be affordable units
- Ground-floor retail space in all the buildings, with community-oriented options
Before commencing work on Longwood Place, however, the team remains focused on the significant work happening at the LLC.
“The LLC is the physical manifestation of almost 10 years of planning, dreaming, hoping and strategic work. It means the coming together of our entire community on one, beautifully designed and engineered campus,” says Laura.