Adelphi University Breaks Ground on New Manhattan Center in the Heart of NYC

Garden City, NY (04/15/2025) — Excitement was in the air as Adelphi University officially broke ground on the new Adelphi Manhattan Center, a historic moment for this U.S. News & World Report Best College founded in 1896.

Members of the Adelphi community gathered in the heart of Midtown Manhattan to celebrate this bold leap forward-one that promises to redefine career-focused undergraduate, graduate and professional education in New York City.

Located at 529 Fifth Avenue, just steps from Bryant Park and Grand Central Station, the custom-designed center will span three floors and comprise over 51,000 square feet. Slated to open in 2026, the new space marks a major milestone in the University's mission to provide transformative, accessible, and future-focused learning opportunities for students in the city that never sleeps.

"This new center is a critical component of our institutional priority to have a vibrant space in New York City," said Adelphi President Christine M. Riordan. "Guided by our Momentum 2 strategic plan, this project enables us to expand access to dynamic educational programs and strengthen our commitment to graduate, adult, and professional learners."

A Powerhouse Location Meets Next-Gen Learning

With its Fifth Avenue address at the intersection of culture, commerce and innovation, Adelphi's Manhattan Center places students at the doorstep of Fortune 500 companies, major healthcare institutions and world-class arts and civic organizations. The location will supercharge internship, employment and networking opportunities while offering proximity to the best the city has to offer.

A modern academic hub, Adelphi's Manhattan Center is filled with cutting-edge features and thoughtful amenities designed for today's learners:

  • Smart classrooms, simulation labs, and specialized learning spaces for teacher education, nursing, health sciences, and anatomy
  • A fully equipped library, computer lab, private study areas, and comfortable student lounge
  • A comprehensive One-Stop Student Services Center with support for admissions, financial aid, advising, and more
  • Event and networking spaces for guest lectures, alumni meetups, and community programming
  • Sun-filled, open-plan spaces designed for collaboration, inspiration, and relaxation
  • Inclusive resources, including gender-neutral restrooms, a lactation room, and a prayer space
  • Modern faculty and administrative offices

A Home for Innovation and Impact

Adelphi's new Manhattan Center will house a range of programs in education, business, clinical psychology, healthcare informatics, business analytics, social work, and creative writing, as well as an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing. A launchpad for the next generation of leaders in the most in-demand professions in and around New York City, the center plans to roll out additional degree and non-degree programs to serve regional workforce needs.

"From Brooklyn to Long Island, and now to Manhattan, Adelphi is making its mark," said Marc S. Strachan, chair of the Board of Trustees, at the April 10 groundbreaking, "and it will continue to do so. The next generation of Adelphi graduates will have a great center in New York City."

What's Next

Construction is underway on the new space, which Adelphi has leased for 20 years. This expansion comes as part of its University-wide plan to grow its campus footprint, elevate academic excellence and invest in tomorrow's change-makers.

Until the new center's doors officially open in 2026, Adelphi will continue offering its New York City-based classes at Saint Francis College in Brooklyn, where it has been operating since relocating from its former Varick Street campus in 2023.

Learn more about Adelphi's new Manhattan Center.

About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university in the United States with a personalized approach to higher learning

Adelphi University, New York, US, is a highly awarded, internationally ranked and powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students' lives. It is recognized for small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training at the undergraduate and graduate level with particular strength in its 'Core Four' academic areas: the Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness.

Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island's oldest private coeducational university. It serves more than 7,250 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York-just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities-and at dynamic learning hubs in Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.

More than 119,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities, and the world.

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Exterior rendering of Adelphi's new Manhattan campus located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Photo credit: Namdar Realty Group

Interior rendering of Adelphi's new Manhattan campus lobby located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Photo credit: Namdar Realty Group

Group photo from left to right: Michael Balboni, incoming chair of Adelphi's Board of Trustees, Carol Ann Boyle, Adelphi's VP of facilities and information technology, Suhit Gupta, senior VP and CIO at General Atlantic, Curtis O. Minnis, retired managing director of global sales at Fedex, Marc Strachan, chair of Adelphi's Board of Trustees, Christopher Storm, Adelphi Provost and Thomas Kline, VP of university advancement and external relations at the groundbreaking of Adelphi's Manhattan campus on April 10. Photo Credit: Claudio Papapietro