Merrimack College’s evolution into a leading research university continues with plans for a new academic building on campus slated to open in spring 2026.
The two-floor, 19,205-square-foot facility will be built on the green space next to Sullivan Hall and feature 700 seats across five lecture halls. It will significantly increase Merrimack’s academic space and provide more modern active learning environments for the College’s growing student population.
“This facility will mark a new chapter in teaching and learning at Merrimack College as we continue our pursuit of R2 classification,” noted Merrimack College President Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D. “These new lecture halls will bring together more of our community of scholars to learn, think and exchange ideas in novel ways. This building will also provide the College with larger spaces to host outside presenters and speakers, as well as campus events.”
The largest lecture hall in the new building will have 227 seats, with the second largest at 136 seats. Currently, the largest campus space used for classes is the McQuade Library auditorium, which has 160 seats. The new facility’s location on campus will add to the College’s ongoing transformation of the Rte. 114 corridor along with the new residence halls currently under construction.
Additionally, this facility will help fulfill a key initiative in Merrimack College’s strategic plan, the Agenda for the Future, to invest in innovative spaces that improve student learning outcomes, as well as support program growth and faculty-sponsored research. Among the College’s recent accomplishments in this endeavor include the Shared Instrumentation and Research Facility, the Entrepreneurship Lab and the renovation of Sullivan Hall.
