Babson Breaks Ground on New Executive Lodge and Conference Center

October 28, 2025

Wearing Babson-branded hard hats, nine people gather to break ground ceremonially

Babson College leaders formally break ground on the construction of the new Executive Lodge and Conference Center. (Photo: Paige Brown)

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Babson College trustees, leaders, and dignitaries celebrated the beginning of construction of the new Executive Lodge and Conference Center (ELCC) with a formal groundbreaking ceremony last week.

Scheduled to open in mid-2027, the new ELCC will be 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 project was announced last spring as part of the Babson’s new historic capital plan that also includes completing the full vision of the Herring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village (HELV).

The formal groundbreaking ceremony included (pictured above from left to right): Ariel C. Armony, provost and executive vice president; Katherine P. Craven P’22, executive vice president, administration and finance; Trustee Eric G. Johnson ’72, H’24, P’08; Trustee Warren Cross Jr. P’21, who led the Board of Trustees’ Master Plan and Facilities Committee; Board of Trustees Chair Jeffery Perry ’87, P’23; Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD; Trustee Deborah L. De Santis ’85, P’26; Kelly Lynch, executive vice president; and Edward Chiu, the Governor Craig R. Benson Endowed Executive Vice President for Advancement.

“Breaking ground on our new Executive Lodge and Conference Center marks an important milestone in our commitment to supporting entrepreneurial leaders across a broad spectrum of professional and academic experiences,” Spinelli said. “This new space will expand our capabilities to convene thought leaders from around the world and strengthen our executive education offerings. I look forward to seeing how this state-of-the-art facility will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.”

The plan for the 77,600-square foot Executive Lodge and Conference Center includes: 70-plus modern guest rooms, plus 8,900 square feet of high-quality classrooms in an executive event space (certified by the International Association of Conference Centers) for immersive learning experiences, as well as a large banquet space for executive, corporate, and community events; a full-service restaurant and bar; a rooftop terrace; and a dedicated fitness area.

Supported significantly by philanthropy, the new Executive Lodge and Conference Center is the cornerstone of Babson Professional and Executive Education and will advance the College’s lifelong learning strategy by providing a world-class environment for professionals, executives, and academics.