Vanderbilt plans graduate campus in West Palm Beach

Sign at an entrance to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. [Photo by Raul Rodriguez]

Vanderbilt University is looking to expand its academic footprint with a graduate campus in West Palm Beach, capitalizing on the burgeoning financial and tech sectors that have earned the region the nickname “Wall Street South.”

The proposed 300,000-square-foot campus would be on 7 downtown acres: 5 acres of county-owned land and 2 acres donated by the city. The design by Elkus Manfredi Architects features sustainable elements such as mass timber construction and solar energy integration and a tropical arboretum showcasing native South Florida plant species, reflecting Vanderbilt’s commitment to environmental harmony.

The campus could accommodate 1,000 graduate students with programs in business disciplines, including an executive M.B.A. and a master’s in finance, as well as engineering and computing fields like artificial intelligence, data science and computer science. These programs are tailored to meet the demands of the local economy, which has seen significant growth in private equity, venture capital, fintech and investment banking.

An economic analysis by TXP projects that the campus would generate $7 billion in economic activity and create approximately 35,000 jobs over its first 25 years. Vanderbilt also aims to become an integral part of West Palm Beach, fostering partnerships with businesses and cultural organizations to drive innovation and growth.

The project has received unanimous approval from city and county commissioners for the land agreements. The university’s Board of Trust has set a fundraising target of $300 million to bring the vision to fruition. While an opening date has not been announced, the university is engaging with accrediting bodies and state regulators to finalize plans and approvals.

This expansion aligns with the Nashville, Tennessee-based university’s strategy to extend its reach and impact.