Medical College of Wisconsin Celebrates Groundbreaking for New On-Campus Student Housing Complex

Milwaukee, July 28, 2026 – Today, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) celebrated an important milestone in building a more connected, supportive and vibrant campus experience for its students by holding a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of construction for its first on-campus student housing complex. The development will be located at the southeast corner of Watertown Plank Road and 87th Street and is expected to open in spring 2028.

During the program, MCW President and Chief Executive Officer Shekar Kurpad, MD, PhD, also announced the name of the new building – Trailmark at MCW – meant to honor the trailblazers of science and medicine and celebrate the future MCW students who will, one day, leave their mark on the health sciences.

“A trail mark is a guidepost left by those who came before and it helps others to find their way,” said Dr. Kurpad. “Trailmark at MCW reflects the Medical College of Wisconsin’s commitment to forging pathways that will shape the future of science, healthcare and discovery. It also serves to inspire MCW learners – our future physicians, pharmacists, scientists and healthcare professionals – to go and leave their own mark on the world.”

The four-story apartment complex will include 266 units of various sizes (approximately 150,800 rentable square feet), along with gathering spaces and underground parking for the building’s residents. Every aspect has been thoughtfully designed to support student learning and well-being, encourage collaboration, and foster a strong sense of community.

“Medical College of Wisconsin learners come from across Wisconsin and the U.S., as well as from countries around the world. They’re enrolled in rigorous programs that demand countless hours of study time,” said Matthew Lester, executive vice president and chief operating officer at MCW. “By providing modern on-campus housing, we’re further enhancing the student experience, strengthening our campus community, and helping attract and retain the exceptional learners who will become tomorrow's health science workforce.”

In attendance for today’s groundbreaking were MCW leaders and students, project development partners, elected officials, and community members.

J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. will serve as construction manager, alongside AG Architecture as the designer and architect, The Sigma Group for environmental engineering and General Capital as the development partner.