Connect News Commercial Real Estate news for every market and every facet, every day.
Connect CRE Events Live and virtual events bringing together the best of information and networking.
CRE Industry Events Live industry events.
Connect Creative A full service marketing and PR agency.
Connect Classroom Offering CRE focused continuing education courses on demand.
ApartmentBuildings.com Is a dynamic platform to search for, list and promote multifamily listings nationwide.
Connect Awards View the A-list of commercial real estate & submit nominations.
Connect Media Kit Advertise, Promote, Attend, Create – Work with Connect.
Loantuitive Find the right lender for your loan.
About Connect Meet the team behind the machine and taste a little of the secret sauce.
Connect News

Your source for daily news covering CRE transactions and trends. Stay informed on national, regional and property sector news that matters to your business.

Connect Classroom

Offering on-demand online courses that provide continuing education credits for brokers, attorneys, appraisers and architects. Select from easily accessible video and written courses that cover a variety of CRE topics.

Find Your Course
High-rise commercial buildings

STAY INFORMED

News when you need it. All our Breaking News, right to your inbox.

Sub Markets

Property Sectors

Topics

Chicago & Midwest CRE News In Your Inbox.

Sign up for Connect emails to stay informed with CRE stories that are 150 words or less.

Chicago & Midwest  + Midwest  + Student Housing  |  October 28, 2026
Jasmine Kilman
By: Jasmine Kilman

Gilbane Development Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

Gilbane Development has broken ground on The Southern Gateway, the first phase of “Elevate WKU,” a transformative $350 million public-private partnership with Western Kentucky University (WKU) to reimagine its on-campus housing.

“With shovels now in the ground, Elevate WKU is one step closer to revitalizing aging campus infrastructure and delivering a modern, community-focused campus experience for today and tomorrow’s Hilltoppers,” said James Patchett, President and CEO of Gilbane Development. “When the dormitory and dining facility opens in fall 2028, students will immediately benefit from a new living-learning environment designed to boost connection and drive academic success.”

Scheduled to open in fall 2028, The Southern Gateway will bring an approximately 1,000-bed residential community on the former site of Hugh Poland and Douglas Keen Halls, two of WKU’s oldest residence halls. As the largest residential investment in WKU’s history, Elevate WKU will replace aging campus housing with new living-learning environments.

Connect

Inside The Story

Gilbane DevelopmentWKU

About Jasmine Kilman

Jasmine Kilman is Content Director of Connect Commercial Real Estate, covering Chicago and greater Chicagoland, the Midwest, Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest. She covers industry trends, transaction deals, market research, and produces daily news stories. With experience in marketing and communications for academic nonprofits and corporate clients, including Hearst Media, Hilton, and Coldwell Banker, Kilman has written about commercial real estate, environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG), technology, healthcare, and philanthropy. She was born and raised in California and graduated with a degree in public relations. In her spare time, Kilman enjoys hiking and traveling to new locations with her family.
Order Reprints