Southside Commons at Lehigh University Opens to the Public
Lehigh Unversity celebrated the official opening of Southside Commons with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 13th. The ceremony was attended by Lehigh officials, community and city leaders, and Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez.
Lehigh University Trustee, Anne R. Kline, expressed the excitement and commitment towards growth on behalf of the Board of Trustees, stating, “Here at SouthSide Commons, Lehigh students will find unparalleled opportunities for personal growth and social interaction. The students who are coming here to SouthSide Commons will live here, will learn here and will thrive here.” Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were treated to tours of the completed building as students actively moved in. Tom Trubiana, Executive Director for Greystar Collegiate Housing, summed up the facility as “a beautiful setting for boundless possibilities."
In addition to the grand opening, the Lehigh Valley CREW (Commercial Real Estate Womens Network) held a luncheon at the facility where Associate Principal Paul Avazier was a panel speaker. As part of the conversation regarding the real estate development and growth of the South Side neighborhood, Paul discussed the design and development of the project and helped lead tours of the facility.
The five-story, 428-bed residence hall introduces apartment-style living for students and marks a milestone event in Lehigh’s Path to Prominence, an initiative that aims to redefine student experience by expanding the University’s academic footprint and strengthening its research enterprise. Located on the northwest boundary of the campus and across from the Bethlehem Area School District’s Broughal Middle School, Southside Commons will strengthen the relationship between the University and City, spurring neighborhood revitalization and allowing students to better interact with the South Bethlehem community.
Southside Commons features a fitness center, study lounges, and three distinct landscaped courtyards. Drawing inspiration from Bethlehem’s industrial past, the building is clad with iron-spot brick masonry and vertically-ribbed metal panels to create a lively, contemporary pattern. Abundant natural light, south-facing sunshades, recycled and recyclable materials, and highly efficient mechanical systems address both sustainability goals and support Lehigh’s reputation as an outstanding academic institution with an engineering focus.
