JWU Announces Plans for Comprehensive Renovation of Residence Hall on its Charlotte Campus  

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — May 13, 2026 – Today, Johnson & Wales University based in Providence, R.I., announced plans to fully renovate a major residence hall on its Charlotte, N.C. campus to accommodate a mixed use of housing and student services. The 97,000 square-foot building currently called “The Maple” and previously managed as the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, will be completely overhauled with new mechanical and building systems and infrastructure, 150 rooms for upper class students (with a potential occupancy of 276), an admissions welcome center, and a central location for student services.

“Our Charlotte campus continues to fulfill the promise that we imagined more than 20 years ago — to accelerate the food and hotel economy by educating the next generation of industry professionals. Over the years, we have expanded our academic portfolio and today are pleased to announce a significant renovation and redesign of one of our campus facilities that will enhance the experience of our students and contribute to the vibrancy of the Charlotte economy,” said Mim L. Runey, university chancellor.

The project is expected to take approximately two years to complete and the expected investment by the university will be around $42 million funded through a combination of investment reserves and philanthropy from individuals, corporations and foundations. The university will work with 3Ten Construction Commercial Contractor and Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, both with bases in Charlotte, N.C. Both firms have completed early phase work on the project.

Over the last year, the Charlotte Campus has celebrated several milestone achievements. Last June, the North Carolina Board of Governors granted approval to JWU Charlotte to offer the 90-credit, three-year degree program in Hospitality Management under the University’s current accreditation, making it the first in the Southeast to offer such a degree. It’s first Nursing Degree graduates were awarded their Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees in August. And in the fall, JWU announced that its Charlotte campus had achieved its highest enrollment numbers since 2020, primarily driven by its renowned Culinary Arts program.

“We are pleased by the momentum around several of our important goals and this renewed facility will ensure that student life on campus will match the quality of the educational experience,” said Richard Mathieu, president of the Charlotte Campus. “The JWU Charlotte campus continues to reflect the vibrancy of the region and city. We are pleased to continue to educate and prepare students for professional careers in culinary arts, hospitality, business, and health and wellness,” he added.

The Maple building (built in 1988; purchased by JWU in 2004) formerly served as a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel for 20 years, until 2024. Initial capital work was completed at that time to transition the facility into a residence hall for upper-class students. Following one year of student residency, the university began more significant improvements and completed initial work in anticipation of a larger project.

Building Project Overview

• YEAR BUILT: 1988
• YEAR ACQUIRED BY JWU: 2004 (Purchased from Bank of America)
• ADDRESS: 895 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
• SIZE: 97,000 square feet, 8 floors with garage
• ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting
• CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: 3Ten Construction Commercial Contractor

PLANNED SPACES

• FIRST FLOOR: Parking Garage with about 20 spaces within the building. The lower first floor will serve as an admissions welcome center and student lounge (during off-hours) approximately 6,500 square feet.
• SECOND FLOOR: This floor will be the location of several student services including: academic success, financial services, student affairs, student academic services, experiential education and career services.
• FLOORS 3-8: These floors will be residential (total 150 rooms) and 276 student beds. Each room includes a bathroom. The residential floors will feature laundry facilities on each floor and a lounge for studying, socializing, or a community kitchen for skills practice on some floors.

Press Images: Building Renderings Link

About JWU

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, and health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. JWU’s unique model provides students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

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