The University of the South announced today that plans for its long-planned employee apartments project have been approved by the University’s Board of Regents, marking a major step forward in addressing the need for quality, affordable housing for Sewanee employees and seminarians.

Following extensive due diligence and financial planning since the project was first discussed in 2024, the University will now move into the design and permitting phase, with civil engineering and related work set to resume immediately. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026, with completion targeted for the summer of 2027.

“This initiative represents an important investment in our people and our community,” says Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen. “Providing more opportunities for faculty and staff to live and thrive on the Domain strengthens both the University and the Sewanee community as a whole.”

The project will be funded through a combination of endowment investment and the sale of select University-owned rental homes to employees over the next five years. This funding model not only supports the construction of the new apartments but also provides employees with additional opportunities for homeownership and reduces the University’s long-term maintenance costs.

Expanding employee housing is a key priority of Sewanee’s strategic plan, Elevating Mind, Heart, and Place. By increasing the number of University-affiliated homes and apartments in Sewanee, the initiative seeks to reverse the decades-long trend of faculty and staff living farther from campus—fostering deeper connections among employees, students, and the wider community.

Additional details, including architectural renderings and construction timelines, will be shared as they become available.