Last week’s ribbon-cutting at Framingham State University’s North Hall marked the opening of the new "crown jewel" of the university’s housing.

Built by Milford’s Consigli Construction Co. Inc. and designed by Pfeufer/Richardson Architects P.C. in association with EYP Architecture & Engineering, for the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA), the new $47 million residence hall, located at the corner of State and High Streets, can be seen from Route 9 and serves as the new gateway to the campus.

The seven-story, 410-bed, facility offers students four and six-person suites and conjoined double and single rooms with semiprivate baths. Spacious lounge areas, study rooms, contemporary furnishings, as well as a "grab-and-go" eatery are among the many amenities in the building, according to a statement.

"We are delighted with the new North Hall and credit the design and construction team’s professionalism, collaboration and teamwork with delivering an exceptional building," said Edward Adelman, executive director of the Massachusetts State College Building Authority. "We are thrilled with the way that the new building takes advantage of the site to form a new entrance to the campus and frames a new landscape courtyard for the residents."

Designed and constructed to meet and exceed new standards under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts "Mass Plus" sustainable building codes, North Hall is pending certification at the LEED Gold level by the U.S. Green Building Council. An example of the building’s sustainable design features includes an underground geothermal well which heats and cools a portion of the building, helping achieve 25 percent more efficiency than Massachusetts standards for new construction.

"This residence hall was well-conceived, well-designed and well-executed," said Raymond Boulanger, chair of the Framingham State University board of trustees.