First Look: East End Neighborhood
East End Neighborhood—Rollins’ newest residential community—is expanding the College’s on-campus living capacity and creating a vibrant new hub where students can live, learn, and connect.
October 23, 2025
Planned to open fall 2026, the newest addition to Rollins is rising on the northeastern edge of campus—a residential community designed to elevate and expand the College’s immersive liberal arts experience.
Overlooking Lake Virginia, the 133,000-square-foot East End Neighborhood will make room for an additional 217 students, increasing the College’s residential capacity to house approximately 75 percent of students on campus. Two of the three buildings will be named in honor of President Emeritus Grant Cornwell.
“With East End, we’ve once again built a program, not just a place to live,” says Leon Hayner, assistant vice president and dean of students. “We’ve seen firsthand how living on campus transforms the student experience, and the East End Neighborhood is another step in deepening that impact. By expanding our capacity, we’re ensuring that more students can benefit from the full residential liberal arts experience—a cornerstone of what makes Rollins so special.”
Designed by Hanbury and constructed by Balfour Beatty with Olympia Development acting as owner’s representative, the new residential facility sits on the footprint of the former Bert W. Martin Tennis Complex, Holt Hall, and Campus Safety building, transforming this east corner of campus into a dynamic new hub for living and learning.
“We’re continually investing in the future of the Rollins experience,” shares Hayner. “Every new community we build is a commitment to providing students with the spaces, resources, and relationships that allow them to get the most from their education and prepare them to lead meaningful lives.”
With its thoughtful design, lakeside views, and integration of academic and social spaces, Rollins’ newest residential community is poised to become a cornerstone of campus life.
Next-Level Living
Open to second-, third-, and fourth-year students, the newest residential hall will offer a variety of living options that balance independence with community. East End features a mix of single, double, and triple rooms, while select units include private bathrooms, kitchenettes, and open-plan living spaces. Two staff apartments will provide on-campus housing for key residential-life staff, ensuring dedicated support within the community.
Fuel for Thought
East End will feature a 100-seat cafe with a host of grab-and-go options, making gathering, snacking, and connecting effortless. East End residents will also have access to a communal kitchen within the Peg Cornwell Commons student lounge, where students can hang out in the comfy couches and watch TV, meet up for a study session, cook community meals, and host small group events.
Safety at the Center
East End will also house the College’s emergency operations center, reinforcing its dual role as both a learning environment and a new home for Campus Safety. This office operates 24 hours a day and is an integral part of Rollins’ dedication to developing and maintaining a safe and secure campus where diverse social, cultural, and academic values can prosper.
Designed for Connection
Designed as a lively hub for learning and connection, East End will feature a fully equipped classroom outfitted with advanced instructional technology, from dual wall-mounted monitors to interactive whiteboards. Student lounges on nearly every floor, many with sweeping views of Lake Virginia, will serve as inviting spaces to study, socialize, and take in the scenery—capturing the best of lakeside living and learning at Rollins.
Recreation Reimagined
Open to all members of the Rollins community, East End Neighborhood will feature new outdoor spaces that bring recreation right to students’ doorsteps. Two tennis courts with pickleball striping and nets, plus a dedicated basketball half-court, will offer fresh opportunities for play, fitness, and connection. Just steps away, a south-facing courtyard overlooking Lake Virginia will provide a scenic spot to unwind, blending active living and lakeside tranquility in true Rollins fashion.
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