MTSU Breaks Ground on $83M Student Housing Project

New Womack Commons to offer 554 beds and parking for growing campus

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:09am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring repeated images of a stylized college dorm room interior in bright, neon colors, capturing the energy and community of the new Womack Commons housing at MTSU.A bold, colorful illustration celebrating the new Womack Commons student housing complex at MTSU, where students will find a vibrant community and modern amenities.Murfreesboro Today

Middle Tennessee State University has broken ground on an $83 million-plus student housing complex called Womack Commons, the university's first new on-campus housing in over 25 years. The 554-bed development will replace outdated Womack Lane apartments and is set to open in Fall 2027, providing pod-style and semi-suite housing options for sophomore students and above.

Why it matters

The new Womack Commons project is part of MTSU's efforts to accommodate growing student housing needs and foster a stronger sense of community on campus. Studies have shown that quality on-campus housing contributes to higher student satisfaction, engagement, and graduation rates.

The details

The Womack Commons project is a public-private partnership between MTSU and developer The Annex Group. The 161,000-square-foot, five-story complex will include a variety of unit types, from single-occupancy to four-person pods, along with study areas, lounges, kitchens, and laundry facilities. An adjacent 541-space parking garage will also be constructed to serve the new housing.

  • MTSU broke ground on the project on April 8, 2026.
  • The new Womack Commons housing is set to open in Fall 2027.

The players

Sidney A. McPhee

President of Middle Tennessee State University.

R.J. Ware

President of the MTSU Student Government Association.

La'Nari Davis

A junior video and film production major and current resident assistant at the Monohan Complex.

Danny Kelley

Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at MTSU.

Tom Tomaszewski

President of The Annex Group, the developer for the Womack Commons project.

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What they’re saying

“Residence halls and the sense of community and connection they create are important contributors to student satisfaction, engagement, and success.”

— Sidney A. McPhee, President of Middle Tennessee State University

“As SGA President, I have the privilege of hearing directly from students every day and what they need, what they want, and what makes them feel connected to this campus. And one thing comes up over and over again: students want to feel like they belong here. Not just attend class here. Not just live here. But truly feel like they are part of this campus community.”

— R.J. Ware, President of the MTSU Student Government Association

“I have seen every part of the building and understand the style of the traditional dorms. As MTSU's students grow and change, the campus changing along with them will only be beneficial.”

— La'Nari Davis, Junior video and film production major and current resident assistant

“Womack Commons will be an incredible place ... for current students and future generations of students to live, grow, connect, and learn.”

— Danny Kelley, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at MTSU

“We like to go to places to not only impact the lives of our residents, but it's really a good partnership in the community. We create a difference not only in the residents that live there, but also in the people who work and are involved in our projects. We really want to make an impact on the community and campus as a whole.”

— Tom Tomaszewski, President of The Annex Group

What’s next

The new Womack Commons housing complex is scheduled to open in Fall 2027, providing much-needed additional on-campus housing options for MTSU students.

The takeaway

This $83 million investment in student housing at MTSU reflects the university's commitment to enhancing the overall campus experience and fostering a stronger sense of community among its growing student population.