Liberty University turns former hotel property into new residence hall set to open this fall

Liberty University has completed the transformation of the former Extended Stay America Suites on University Boulevard into the newest addition to student housing, North Suites, opening this fall on North Campus.

The new residence hall combines the popular amenities found at the Residential Commons and Campus East halls; each of the 102 two-person rooms has a private bathroom and kitchenette with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave. The hall will be split into male and female wings with a total capacity of 204 beds. There are also on-site laundry facilities.

Liberty purchased the property in April and immediately began renovations. Space on the first floor that was once the back end of the hotel has been renovated into a common area. Life security systems like fire alarms and smoke detectors have been updated to code.

North Suites is the only residence hall on North Campus and is closer to multiple academic, recreational, and dining facilities than other housing options. An intra-campus bus stop will soon be added.

“This is a location right across from the LaHaye Fitness Center, from the Tilley Student Center, and all those kinds of amenities and facilities,” Senior Executive Director of Student Life Dustin DuBose said. “It’s a prime spot for students in the School of Communication & the Arts and Helms School of Government programs too, since those schools are based in Green Hall. It’s now a unique housing offering that, with how fast it filled up in just a couple days, is something students are excited about.”

He said crews have been working on multiple upgrades at other residence halls this summer, including renovating bathrooms in some sections of The Circle and making improvements to certain on-campus apartments for resident directors.

“The renovations to RD apartments are going to be really nice not just for the RDs who live there, but since RDs serve such a pivotal role on the campus, where they have RAs (resident assistants) and other students into their apartments all the time, putting some effort into those really sets them up to continue their work of engaging with students.”

In the past year, the South Tower residence hall was converted to a dual gender building (three all-female floors and three all-male) similar to the Residential Commons, and common-area furniture in Campus East buildings was replaced.

While some projects may seem small, DuBose said the purpose is to serve students in all aspects.

“The reality of it is that we’re doing what we do so that students can increase their opportunities for being in community together,” he said. “A lot of what we do is just creating the environment for all the things that happen as a student: your academics, your spiritual life, your physical and emotional well-being, and everything else.”

>>Liberty offers multiple housing options for on-campus students, from traditional to high-rise, apartment-style and suite-style options. Learn more about living on campus and view all the residence halls at Liberty.edu/Housing.