Hunt, Texas A&M University to Jointly Develop $45 Million Maritime Academy Cadet Residence Hall

El Paso-based Hunt Companies and Texas A&M University at Galveston have entered into definitive agreements for the design, development and construction of the proposed 612-bed, $45 million on-campus Maritime Academy Cadet Residence Hall. This is the first project Hunt and Texas A&M have partnered together on to develop.

Hunt is serving as the master developer on the project and will also work in conjunction with Hunt affiliate, Moss & Associates, who will operate as the design build contractor for the residence hall. This is Hunt and Moss’ first joint project since announcing Hunt’s strategic investment and integration of its construction operations into Moss & Associates last month.

“The priority is to deliver a comfortable and amenity driven living environment to the future cadets, instructors, and staff of the residence hall at Texas A&M at Galveston,” said Sinclair Cooper, President of Hunt’s Public Infrastructure Division. “We are honored to work with this respected university to help prepare its students to be the leaders of tomorrow and carry on the extraordinary traditions of the Cadet program.”

The development will feature a design focused on the Academy and student’s needs to provide cadets direct access to residential as well as leadership and centralized gathering locations. The Cadet Hall features two residential wings connected to a central commons, with adjacent features including an illuminated formation court and associated amenities including the most modern facilities available. The commons includes classrooms, study lounges, flexible social spaces, staff and cadet offices, a reception area, common laundry facilities, a convenience shop, and storage areas. Construction of the residence hall began on June 30 and is slated for completion in the fall of 2015.

“I am pleased that Texas A&M at Galveston has partnered with Hunt to help provide our students with a new and impressive on-campus living environment. The new Cadet Residence Hall is one part of our efforts to provide a positive living-learning opportunity for students,” said Texas A&M University Interim President Mark Hussey.

“Today our nation seeks additional maritime officers to fill the critical shortage that affects our national security,” said Rear Admiral Robert Smith III, Chief Executive Officer of Texas A&M at Galveston and Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. “This new Cadet Resident Hall will make the growth of our maritime academy possible and therefore provide the officers needed as America’s merchant fleet expands to meet national interests.”

This residence hall development is Hunt’s first project to offer design and development services for a higher educational sector client focused on military personnel. Hunt has been responsible for the development and/or construction of more than 70,000 military homes across the United States, totaling more than $6 billion in development costs and over $8 billion in construction costs. In partnership with the Department of Defense, Hunt currently maintains an ownership interest in 37,768 military homes located in 20 states, including projects at Hampton Roads, Bolling AFB, Buckley AFB, Langley AFB, Fort Lee, and the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.