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With record enrollment in recent years, the University of Portland is planning to build a 4-story, 140-room residence hall on its campus on North Willamette Boulevard.

The new 108,000-square-foot building, which will house about 270 students, will be built by Skanska, said university spokesman Joe Kuffner. Design is by Soderstrom Architects.

Kuffner said the university is still going through the building permit phase, but demolition is cleared to start soon on the site to remove six houses the university either rented out or used for office space. Completion of the new building is planned by the end of next summer.

The new dormitory will be located next to the school’s new Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center, which should be complete by the time school starts in September. The $25 million project will replace the school’s aging gym.

鈥淭here will be space for a workout facility for cardio training, weight lifting and strength conditioning in the gym, and also a running track and studios for yoga and other classes,鈥� Kuffner said.

The new residence hall will have a chapel, spacious lobby and dining concessions on the first floor with resident units on the top three floors.

Kuffner said because University of Portland is a Catholic school, run by Congregation of the Holy Cross, students are encouraged to live on campus.

鈥淥ne of the big missions of the university is to have students living in a community on campus,鈥� Kuffner said. 鈥淲e want that community aspect and adding resident halls is a big push.鈥�

Last year’s freshman class was the biggest ever, so more expansion can be expected, according to Kuffner..

In the last few years, the university has completely renovated the Clark Library, built two new dormitories, remodeled and expanded the main dining facility at Bauccio Commons as well as other projects, such as the renovation of the student lounge, the Pilot House.

Kuffner said the student lounge will be complete later in the fall and will include a pub that sells beer and wine.

鈥淭he building is well-loved, and we’re also increasing food options,鈥� he said.