By GREGORY ZELLER //
Marking a significant milestone for regional student life, the New York Institute of Technology is about to cut the ribbon on its new Long Island residence hall.
Joined by representatives of Manhasset-based PX4 Development and local lawmakers, New York Tech is scheduled to host a grand-opening ceremony on Thursday for its freshly reconstructed three-story facility, located about 15 minutes by car from the Old Westbury campus. The residence hall officially opened to students back in August, in time for the current Fall 2024 semester.
New York Tech already maintains several student-residence facilities near its New York City campus; prior to COVID-19, it leased dormitory space from neighboring SUNY Old Westbury to accommodate Long Island student-residents. Since 2020, when that lease arrangement fizzled with the temporary pandemic pivot to distance learning, New York Tech has helped Island students identify and secure private off-campus housing opportunities.
That all changes with the opening of the Jericho Turnpike hall, which is supervised full-time by professional staff and resident assistants and features double- and triple-occupancy rooms, along with a handful of medically necessitated single-occupancy rooms.
Henry Foley: Full support.
Each room features private bathrooms and is furnished with twin-sized beds, armoires, desks and chairs, along with microwave ovens, 4.5-cubic-foot refrigerators and individually controlled air conditioning and heating units.
The new residence facility also includes dedicated study rooms, a fitness center, a laundry room and a swimming pool, with regular shuttle services transporting residents to and from the nearby campus.
The amenities are not only a nod to creature comforts, according to New York Institute of Technology President Henry Foley, but were “specifically designed to surround our students with the best environments that balance their academic, social and personal wellness.”
“One of New York Tech’s top priorities is to provide the best student experiences possible,” Foley added. “These new facilities are another example of how we strive to support them both inside and outside the classroom.”
Plans for the new residence facility date back to October 2023, when PX4 secured a long-term lease with New York Tech and announced plans to convert an 80-room Hampton Inn hotel – which it had purchased for $15 million – into one-, two- and three-bedroom student-housing units.
Laps of luxury: Sorry … pool use is for student residents only.
The result is more than a simple dormitory, according to a statement from PX4, but a “vibrant community hub.”
“Seeing our vision come to life with students enjoying their new home is incredibly rewarding,” noted PX4 Development Managing Partner Michael Puntillo. “This development isn’t just about providing housing – it’s about creating a supportive environment that enhances the educational experience and fosters community.”
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino referenced the former Hampton Inn – which closed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and would have become a homeless shelter, if plans floated by former Nassau County Executive Laura Curran had not met stiff local resistance – as “an ideal choice for a student dormitory.”
“This property boasts modern amenities and features a comfortable living environment for students pursuing professional degrees in architecture, engineering and more,” Saladino said in a statement. “This project helps nurture academic excellence while fostering a vibrant campus community desired by students seeking professional advancement through higher education.”
