Vanderbilt Offers First Glance at Proposed West Palm Beach Business School Campus
Renderings Unveiled for 7-Acre Campus
Vanderbilt University, which hopes to raise $300 million to help fund a business school project in downtown West Palm Beach, served up a small portfolio of renderings Monday that shows how 7 acres of donated public land would be used for the project.
Aerial View of Proposed Campus
The renderings show an aerial view of the proposed campus, which would cover 300,000 square feet and feature a tropical arboretum showcasing a diverse array of indigenous South Florida species.
Business School and Innovation Hub
Vanderbilt expects to serve nearly 1,000 students who would seek advanced degrees in business, finance, engineering, and computer-focused fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, and computer science. The innovation hub would connect local entrepreneurs with academic programming and research, creating opportunities for collaboration with Vanderbilt faculty and students.
Academic and Innovation Building
The university has made strong progress in its fundraising efforts, gaining support from the greater West Palm Beach community and area Vanderbilt alumni. Last spring, billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross hosted a gathering at his Palm Beach mansion to contribute to the cause, with Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier in attendance.
Tropical Arboretum
The proposed campus would feature a tropical arboretum showcasing “a diverse array of indigenous South Florida species,” including sea grape, gumbo limbo, and buttonbush. Visitors might expect to see slash pines reaching for the sky, vibrant Cherokee Beans adding splashes of color, and the iconic sabal palm standing proud.
Conclusion
The proposed West Palm Beach campus would be a unique learning and research environment that nurtures collaboration and innovation while being sustainable in all senses. The university’s release of the renderings aims to generate awareness and excitement for community philanthropic investment in the project.
FAQs
* What is the total cost of the project? The project has a total cost of $520 million.
* How much has Vanderbilt raised so far? The university has made strong progress in its fundraising efforts, but the exact amount raised is not publicly disclosed.
* Who is supporting the project? The project has received support from the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and local businesses and alumni.
* When is the project expected to be completed? The project is expected to be completed in the future, but a specific timeline has not been announced.
