OMAHA — A new $50 million Creighton University student residence hall opened last week, adding to the private university’s continued transformation of parts of Omaha’s urban core.

The 151,000-square-foot Magis Hall, intended exclusively for sophomores, will be home to 409 students living in four-person apartment-style suites. Each floor has lounges, study rooms and gathering spots. Fall classes started Aug. 18.

The dormitory features “The Aviary,” a wellness-focused retreat space where students can unwind and recharge amid earthy tones, natural light, plants and nature-inspired materials.

The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton president, said Magis Hall along 21st between Cuming and Burt streets is named for the Jesuit value that seeks “the greater good” and service. 

Built between Creighton’s School of Dentistry and the new softball competition field, the newest dorm builds upon the aesthetic of nearby Graves Hall, university leaders said. That $37 million project for freshmen opened in 2023 and was the first residence hall constructed on the campus since 2006.

“Situated at the intersection of our new residential and recreational corridors, this dedicated sophomore residence fosters community, encourages personal growth and helps all who call it home thrive,” Hendrickson said.

A Creighton press release says Magis Hall is the first building on its downtown campus to incorporate geothermal technology, calling it another milestone in the university’s sustainability efforts. 

Beneath the building and the parking lot north of Cuming Street are 186 geothermal wells that help heat the building’s domestic hot water and provide energy exchange for heating and cooling. 

Complementing the geothermal system is a photovoltaic solar array shared by Magis Hall and the School of Dentistry that’s expected to generate roughly 500,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, supplying roughly one-third of Magis Hall’s yearly electrical needs. 

Creighton says the two systems are expected to reduce the building’s annual energy costs by approximately 50% compared to similarly sized residence halls using traditional utilities.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/omahas-creighton-university-continues-downtown-growth-opens-50m-housing-hall/