With a growing student population, the FGCU Internal Communication Committee has released its master plan for future projects. Over the next decade, the Southwest Florida institution will experience on and off-campus construction at the Cohen Student Union, Academic Building 10 (AB10), and faculty housing.

Students currently attending FGCU will only experience three of these future projects: the Cohen Student Union renovations, construction of AB10 and faculty housing in West Lake Village.

Currently, the Cohen Student Union is in the second phase of its expansion and renovation project. The first phase, completed on April 23, involved renovating Einstein Bros. Bagels, which added 5,432 square feet for an open layout with gathering zones and built-in booths, centered on creating a student-oriented environment. 

The second phase involves a 10,337 square feet expansion by removing the previous exterior stairwells to make space for a new grand entrance with a refined interior, which will provide a reception desk, study areas and a photo backdrop.

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“We’re excited to see how this transformation will reshape the way students and faculty engage with the Cohen Student Union,” said FGCU Physical Plant Project Manager Miguel Rodriguez. “This project was designed with students at its heart, and now the space reflects their voice, their needs and their future.”

Academic Building 10 is set to be the largest academic building on campus. Designated as a state-of-the-art health science education facility, it will span 158,538 square feet, divided into two distinct phases: a 130,693-square-foot Phase One and a 27,742-square-foot Phase Two. 

The project will add 28,000 square feet of interdisciplinary simulation, consisting of a hologram recording studio, operating room, ICUs, Syndaver & Anatomage and medical student rooms.

Aside from having a health science focus, the building will have 4,050 square feet of multipurpose classrooms, an outdoor event lawn, a walking track and a food service and dining space. Construction begins on Oct. 13, 2026, and is expected to be completed on Oct.11, 2028.

“One thing that I’m very, very excited about is expanding our health sciences programs,” University President Asygul Timur said. “It’s a very big holistic approach that our Student Health Services will be in that building. We will have mental health counseling in that building. Our CAPS [Counseling and Psychological Services] will be in that building… that is something that I am absolutely so excited about.”

While there are no current plans to increase student housing, FGCU plans to add faculty housing in North Lake Village on the 24 miles of unused land the university has on the property. FGCU Housing plans to implement 74 units with rent 20% below the market.

This plan still requires approval from the Florida Board of Governors, as well as a confirmed developer to design and plan the project. FGCU plans to break ground on the projects in February 2026, with the first move-ins scheduled for January 2027, one year later.

“In the last five years, rental rates have gone up by 5%. We know it’s an issue and have been working on ways to solve it.” Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the FGCU Foundation, Kitty Green said. “We want to be a preferred employer…one of them is providing the facilities required by the employees to help make that happen.”

As for future Eagles, they also have a lot more to look forward to. Both the Bower School of Arts and Music are eyeing expansion, alongside a housing extension to SoVi Village. FGCU also plans to construct two new buildings:  Academic Building 11 in Babcock Ranch, highlighting an on-campus and a proposed four-story building, Veteran’s Center for Student Success, beside the Welcome Center.

“Over the past 28 years, we’ve really focused on building our main campus here. The four presidents before me have done a fantastic job of our growth,” Timur said. “We have seen an opportunity to expand our physical presence beyond our main campus. In Babcock Ranch, we will have Academic Building 11 to serve our students and communities better… it will be a great synergy for FGCU and all other programs that we are offering.”