Meadows Apartments at Princeton University

Princeton University’s Meadows Graduate Housing, delivered through a long-standing public-private partnership with American Campus Communities (ACC), exemplifies how higher education institutions can successfully align growth, sustainability, affordability and community-building through a strategic and innovative P3 structure. Located on Princeton’s new Lake Campus in West Windsor, New Jersey, this 604-bed community that opened in Spring 2024 is part of a broader 107-acre mixed-use development that expands the university’s residential and research footprint. Designed to support a growing graduate population and meet ambitious climate targets, Meadows Apartments exemplifies the transformative potential of collaborative delivery. Effective Contract Management & Value for Money Universities are increasingly turning to P3s as a cost-effective way to meet housing demand while minimizing financial and operational risk. The success of Meadows Graduate Housing is rooted in a long-term partnership between Princeton and ACC, first established in 2010 when Princeton selected ACC through a competitive procurement process. Over the course of more than a decade and four major development phases, this partnership has delivered 1,912 beds across three communities with a disciplined, scalable approach. With more than 115 P3 transactions completed across 65 institutions nationwide, ACC has a strong track record in collaborative development with a proven model that allows institutions to expand and modernize housing without taking on new debt, preserving resources for academic priorities. In the case of Meadows, Princeton retained land and building ownership, while leveraging ACC’s unique expertise in student housing development and construction management. This division of roles allowed Princeton to focus on academic priorities while accessing best-in-class residential design, accelerated delivery schedules and optimized lifecycle performance. The Meadows community was delivered on time and within budget despite post-pandemic inflation and supply chain challenges. Through contract oversight and an adaptive development model, the partnership maximized cost efficiency with ACC 100% financially responsible for one of the three graduate communities and Princeton leveraging its own balance sheet for the others. The hybrid management structure has consistently preserved institutional control while minimizing financial exposure. Strong Partnering Relationships & End-User Endorsement Throughout the development process, Princeton and ACC prioritized transparency, shared governance and alignment with university values that strengthened trust and mutual accountability between the two partners. This partnership was not only a success but also resulted in enhanced living experience for students that earned praise from end users. Thus far, Princeton graduate students have benefited from a purpose-built, community-oriented housing experience that supports both academic and social success. The intentional design of Meadows Apartments, from its integrated courtyards and community center to child-friendly features, wellness areas, study spaces and onsite café dining, reflects a deep commitment to serving the holistic needs of its residents. Flexibility & Adaptability The evolution of Meadows Apartments reflects both flexibility in scope and adaptive capacity in planning. What began as a single housing development scaled into a 604-bed community integrated into a broader 107-acre mixed-use campus. The development team, including Seattle-based architecture firm Mithun, adapted the design to accommodate shifting institutional priorities, new sustainability targets and the changing demands of graduate student life. Princeton’s push toward net-zero emissions by 2046 spurred a significant redesign midway through planning, resulting in the adoption of Passive House standards. This ambitious and forward-looking shift required reengineering building systems and construction methods. ACC’s ability to accommodate this shift without disrupting timelines demonstrates the nimbleness and resilience of the partnership. Performance Beyond Expectations A defining element of the Meadows project is its environmental innovation. In response to the University’s goal to reach net zero greenhouse emissions by 2046, and as a direct result of the P3 model, ACC designed the community with sustainability at the forefront—integrating energy-efficient systems, environmentally conscious materials and smart technologies to reduce environmental impact and promote long-term operational efficiency. This collaborative approach allowed both partners to move boldly toward a shared commitment to shaping sustainable standards, resulting in the new community being recognized as the first Passive House-certified building for both organizations and one of the largest Passive House projects in the United States at its opening in Fall 2024. Princeton University has actively highlighted this achievement through various media channels, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and innovative design. The all-electric and LEED-Silver project further enhances the path to reach Princeton’s goals with the implementation of new technology, including district-wide geothermal wells, a green roof and photovoltaic capability. The buildings have highly efficient envelopes designed to take advantage of sun, shade and ventilation to “passively” keep residents comfortable and minimize the use of active heating and cooling systems. ACC and Mithun also worked to reduce the buildings’ roof and slab areas, which helps prevent heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. To further enrich this sustainable experience, the community offers convenient amenities that promote sustainable living. In addition to its proximity to the main campus, residents have access to bike rooms with covered bike racks as well as convenient resident parking on the upper levels of the Meadows Garage, which includes electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As a result of the new geo-exchange system that will help provide University-wide thermal energy and adhere to Passive House standards, the buildings within the Meadows neighborhood, including Meadows Apartments, will be more efficient than those on the other side of Lake Carnegie. This new district energy system will have the capacity to heat and cool these buildings, the new Princeton athletic facilities, and additional buildings added to the Meadows Neighborhood in the foreseeable future. Additional Sustainable Features Include: Wood-framed construction rather than steel and concrete help reduce embodied carbon and control costs. Energy recovery ventilators, with rooftops prepared for future photovoltaic installation. Bike rooms with covered bike racks. Convenient resident parking on the upper levels of the Meadows Garage, which includes electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Rain gardens and green infrastructure supporting geothermal exchange wells. Carbon sequestration and low-embodied-carbon materials. Social Impact, Community-Engaged Design & Transformation Beyond its institutional footprint, the Meadows project is deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of the West Windsor community. Generating a sense of community, the project integrates quads and courtyards to create three-story apartment buildings in the shape of a tiger’s paw, a reference to Princeton’s iconic mascot. The courtyards enhance circulation and offer campus views from the community’s southern and eastern boundaries, which are easily accessible by pedestrians. They are also carefully designed to maximize views of nature without sacrificing thermal performance. The project’s exterior relies on wood-frame construction and offers a variety of unit types across different price points to accommodate all demographics of graduate and postdoctoral students. The first floor features a community center and café designed to enhance student-resident experience, therefore enhancing both academic and social success. The open-concept outdoor spaces serve as an extension of the main campus, showcasing woodland trails, a barbeque area and a community garden throughout the 2.5-acre site. To support a holistic student experience, the community integrates diverse mixed-use spaces, including: 7,200 SF community center with dedicated study spaces, private meeting rooms, a social lounge, and a kids' playroom for student families. 1,400 SF of café space offering on-site dining, serving as a social hub and study space for residents. Fitness and wellness areas include an outdoor plaza, a community garden, open lawns, and recreational spaces with ping pong and pool tables as well as access to the D&R Canal trail. In addition to transforming student experience, Meadows contributes to the vibrancy of West Windsor and the surrounding region by bringing long-term economic investment, supporting local contractors and labor during construction and modeling environmentally responsible development for other institutions. Additionally, through the P3 model, this project exemplifies how collaborative efforts can drive meaningful changes and benefit both the university and community. Delivering Results & Ensuring Success The Meadows Graduate Housing project is a testament to what can be achieved through visionary public-private partnership. It balances financial prudence with architectural excellence, meets institutional goals without sacrificing resident experience, and integrates sustainability in both form and function. At its core, the Meadows community reflects Princeton’s ambition to provide not just housing, but a deeply supportive and inclusive environment for its graduate population. The project directly responds to rising enrollment and the increased demand for affordable, accessible and community-oriented campus-based housing. Meadows Graduate Housing is not only a residence, but a carefully curated environment that promotes academic achievement, social connection and environmental consciousness. Every design element reflects a commitment to Princeton’s core values of community, accessibility and innovation, and ensures the community not only meets but anticipates user needs. For these reasons, it stands as a compelling candidate for recognition and an example for future innovation in the sector.