Babson Expansion to Transform the Living-Learning Experience for All Learners
With a new lodging, learning, and event space, as well as increased classroom, dining, and residential capacities, Babson College will be expanding its transformative learning experiences for undergraduates, graduates, professionals, executives, and academics.
Babson recently announced a historic capital plan to transform the executive conference center to complete the full vision of the Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village (HELV) and build a new Executive Lodge and Conference Center, a lodging and event space for its professional and executive learning programs. The Babson Board of Trustees last month endorsed the plan, which will be significantly funded by donors to the College.
The capital projects, which also will address long-standing deferred maintenance across the Wellesley campus, are another major investment in the world-class education at Babson, which was ranked the No. 2 Best College in the United States last year by The Wall Street Journal. The investment and support of the community continue to extend the College’s strategic mission to empower entrepreneurial leaders to impact communities everywhere.
“Babson College has long been a global leader in advancing entrepreneurship education for learners across a broad spectrum of professional experience,” said President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD. “Our historic ranking by The Wall Street Journal signals that the world is recognizing that entrepreneurship is a core competency that extends far beyond a business education.
“The Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village will continue to provide an enhanced learning experience for our undergraduate and graduate students. And, the new Executive Lodge and Conference Center will play an integral role in bringing our proven approach to entrepreneurial leadership to executives and professionals from a wide swath of industries around the world.”
Expanding the HELV
Babson’s pioneering Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village has been a transformative addition to campus since its opening last year. The living-learning community features the Global Outreach Studio, three state-of-the-art classrooms, a co-curricular lounge with study rooms, collaborative and breakout spaces, outdoor patios, and the Village Coffee House.
Supported with new investments from alumni and donors, the HELV also is the largest residence hall on campus, with 280-plus residents, and it is the home for Babson’s signature course, Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship (FME), with all 18 sections of the first-year course being conducted there.
Building on the success of Phase 1 of the HELV development, the second phase will fully convert the facility to support both undergraduate and graduate programs. When it is completed, the HELV will be the largest investment in entrepreneurship education at Babson.
Under the new capital plan, Phase 2 of the HELV development provides:
- 128 new student beds
- A 275-plus seat dining venue
- 13 classrooms and learning spaces
- Opportunity to address long-standing deferred maintenance
“The continued investment in the Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village is a strong testament of our commitment to elevating our entrepreneurship education and our student experience,” said Katherine Craven P’22, Babson’s executive vice president, administration. “The ongoing support of our entire community—from the Board of Trustees to our alumni and faculty—is inspiring as Babson begins Phase 2 of this transformative project.”
Construction of the HELV expansion will begin in spring 2027 and is expected to be mostly completed by August 2027.
Flagship Executive Lodge and Conference Center
In addition to the expansion of the HELV, Babson will build a flagship, boutique-style executive lodging facility on the site of the current Babson Executive Conference Center garage to serve its professional and executive education programs.
The plan for the 77,600-square foot Executive Lodge and Conference Center infuses technology and natural light throughout the design and includes:
- 70-plus modern guest rooms
- Cutting-edge classrooms in an executive event space (certified by the International Association of Conference Centers) for immersive learning experiences
- Large banquet space for executive, corporate, and community events
- Full-service restaurant and bar
- Rooftop terrace
- Dedicated fitness area
Supported significantly by philanthropy, the new Executive Lodge and Conference Center is the cornerstone of Babson’s professional and executive education and will advance the College’s lifelong learning strategy by providing a world-class environment for professionals, executives, and academics.
“The new Executive Lodge and Conference Center will play an integral role in bringing our proven approach to entrepreneurial leadership to executives and professionals from a wide swath of industries around the world.”
President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD
“The global corporate training market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for upskilling and reskilling in a rapidly evolving business landscape,” said Kelly Lynch, executive vice president. “By investing in this state-of-the-art facility, as well as world-class online learning designed specifically for executive and professional learners, we are positioning Babson to better serve the growing demand and ensuring that our programs remain relevant and impactful in today’s dynamic business environment.”
Additionally, the center will provide increased capacity to serve the events and lodging needs of the local communities around the Babson campus. The restaurant, bar, terrace, boardroom, and event space will be available for public bookings.
Over the coming weeks, Babson College will work closely with the Town of Wellesley and its nearest neighbors to begin the process that will enable it to secure the permits required to build this project.
The goal is to begin demolition of the garage in May, start construction of the new structure at the start of 2026, and open the new facility in mid-2027. Until then, the HELV will continue to house Babson’s professional and executive program guests.
Campus-Wide Deferred Maintenance
In addition to the HELV and the Executive Lodge and Conference Center, Babson’s capital plan includes investments to reduce deferred maintenance, which will renew academic and student-serving spaces across campus.
The plan includes improvements to Tomasso Hall, Keith Hall, Reynolds Campus Center, Babson Hall, Malloy Hall, and Woodland Hill.
Additionally, ongoing improvements to existing campus spaces, including academic buildings and residence halls, will continue as planned while these two projects proceed.
The Babson Board of Trustees’ Master Plan and Facilities Committee, led by Warren Cross Jr. P’21, has been intimately involved in the development and approval of the plans.
“My sincere thanks to the trustees, administrative teams, faculty representatives, and donors who worked intensively over the last year to diligently design and plan these projects,” Spinelli said. “Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in generating support for these investments in the campus experience for our community.”
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