MURFREESBORO (April 28, 2026) – Today The Annex Group®, a leading impact housing developer that creates affordable, workforce and purpose-built student housing communities, is excited to announce its participation in Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU) groundbreaking event for Womack Commons, a new student housing community on the university’s Murfreesboro campus. The event was hosted on April 8th and marked the official groundbreaking milestone as construction continues to move forward.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said that he looks forward to working with The Annex Group to bring forward the institution’s vision for a new student housing community. "In a time of constrained public resources and evolving campus needs, public private partnerships allow us to do more, do it better, and do it faster,” he said. "These partnerships are not simply a trend in higher education; they are a strategic necessity."
The Annex Group was named developer on the project after securing MTSU’s first student housing public private partnership (P3) last year. The Annex Group is also the general contractor, facility manager and asset manager for the community. MTSU will provide residence life, leasing and assignments to provide a seamless experience for students. Raymond James was underwriter for the bond offering, and BAM was the bond issuer.
“We are excited to see construction begin on this project that has been a true joint partnership between MTSU, The Annex Group and many others,” said Jason Taylor, Managing Partner, Public Private Partnerships (P3) for The Annex Group. “Our plans for this community were created with MTSU’s goals for its students in mind, and focus on affordability, wellness and student success. We are grateful to collaborate with the University and our project partners to create a transformational addition to the campus.”
Plans for Womack Commons include 554 beds of semi-suite and suite-style living units in a combination of private and shared bedrooms. Located at the corner of Homecoming Drive and Blue Raider Circle, the new residential community will act as a vibrant gateway to campus connecting to adjacent academic, recreation, parking and a future residential village. Designed by Smith Gee Studios and SCB, the project will include a staffed front desk, entry and floor lounges, community kitchen, laundry room, private and small group study spaces, landscaped courtyard, and MTSU residence life offices. The new development will replace the aging Womack Lane Apartments, which were built nearly five decades ago with a capacity of 250 residents.
Womack Commons is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027 ahead of the fall semester.