AUBURNDALE, MA— Lasell Village, the university-based senior living community affiliated with Lasell University, will break ground on McGuire Hall, a transformative new residence that blends housing with lifelong learning, wellness, and vibrant community living.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 13, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Lasell University campus, 120 Seminary Avenue, Auburndale, MA. Featured speakers will include Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Lasell University President Eric Turner, and Lasell Village President Zehra Abid-Wood. The event will bring together residents, staff, university leaders, and local officials to mark a significant expansion in the Village’s mission and capacity.
The new 124,980-square-foot, four-story building will feature 42 light-filled apartments, a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, a dining venue, library, and dedicated spaces for art, music, academic classes, and social gatherings. Designed by DiMella Shaffer, McGuire Hall will incorporate sustainable, energy-efficient elements aligned with Lasell Village’s vision of forward-looking, community-based living.
Honoring an Education Pioneer
McGuire Hall is named in honor of Jean McGuire, a trailblazing educator, activist, and civil rights leader. McGuire made history as the first African American woman elected to the Boston School Committee, and she helped found the METCO program in the 1960s. From 1973 to 2016, she led METCO as executive director, fighting for equitable education and integration across Massachusetts.
“McGuire Hall is more than just a building—it’s a tribute to a lifetime of advocacy, courage, and commitment to education,” said Zehra Abid-Wood, President of Lasell Village. “Her name and legacy will inspire every resident and learner who walks through these doors.”
A Model of Lifelong Learning
Lasell Village is a national leader in intergenerational living and learning. As the first university-based senior living community to fully integrate lifelong education into its model, residents commit to 450 hours each year of intellectual, cultural, or community engagement. The Village combines independent living with on-campus learning and healthcare services, fostering wellness and purpose at every age.
McGuire Hall will build on this legacy by creating new opportunities for wellness, creativity, and academic engagement—all in a thoughtfully designed, modern environment.
Located on Lasell University’s 54-acre campus in Newton, Massachusetts, Lasell Village includes 182 independent living units, nine supported living studios, and a 38-bed skilled nursing facility. The Village is also home to 18 resident-led committees, ensuring that older adults remain actively involved in shaping their community’s direction and priorities.
With the addition of McGuire Hall, Lasell Village is deepening its commitment to honoring history-makers like Jean McGuire while offering older adults a dynamic, inclusive environment built on purpose and lifelong growth.
