Transforming Spaces for Student Life.

MidAtlantic completed the fast-track conversion of a former Best Western hotel into new student housing for Widener University. The initial phase transformed two floors of the existing hotel into 38 dormitory rooms while modifying the first-floor common areas to support the building’s new use as University housing.

The defining challenge of the project was the schedule. Widener acquired the building over the July 4th weekend, leaving MidAtlantic just six weeks to complete the renovation before students arrived for the fall semester. With substantial completion targeted for August 24th—and students scheduled to begin moving in the very next day—there was no flexibility in the completion date. MidAtlantic quickly mobilized and maintained an average workforce of approximately 30 tradespeople on-site each day to meet the aggressive deadline.

The renovation included converting 38 former hotel rooms into student dormitories, securing the residential floors from adjacent areas of the building, modifying existing MEP systems for the new occupancy, and creating new laundry and study facilities on the first floor. The project also required significant deferred maintenance, primarily involving the existing HVAC systems, to prepare the building for reliable student use.

Adding to the challenge, unforeseen environmental remediation and previously unidentified building maintenance issues were discovered after construction began. MidAtlantic worked closely with Widener and the project team to address these conditions without compromising the critical move-in date.

Through intensive planning, rapid decision-making, and close coordination among the University, design team, subcontractors, and suppliers, MidAtlantic delivered the renovated student housing on schedule, completing the transformation in just six weeks and turning the building over only one day before students began calling it home.

View Gallery