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George A. Pruitt Hall

George A. Pruitt Hall

College Breaks Ground on Nursing Education Center in Trenton

University Breaks Ground on George A. Pruitt Hall

Thomas Edison State University broke ground on its newest building, George A. Pruitt Hall, on Thursday, June 19, 2014 and celebrated the official opening of the building on Sept. 16, 2016.

To prepare the site, which the University acquired from the city of Trenton in March 2013, the University demolished the former Glen Cairn Arms apartment complex, which sat vacant and dilapidated for decades. Demolition of the complex was completed in November 2013.

The development of the Pruitt Hall has redefined an important part of the historic State House section of the city at a key gateway location at West State and Calhoun streets.

Building top of page

GCAH Aerial View

  • Pruitt Hall is a 34,360-square-foot building that houses the University's W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and include new, state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories, lecture halls, conference rooms, and a student advising center.
  • The building also has a two-level, 44,828-square-foot parking garage to accommodate more than 90 vehicles.
  • The building was designed to reflect the many former mansions that were located along this portion of West State Street and incorporates traditional and durable materials for the exterior, such as slate and composite slate roofing, brick walls and limestone accents.
  • The building's skin features robust insulation, thermal breaks, continuous air barriers and many details adapted from the National Institute of Building Sciences "best practice" design guides.
  • The windows utilize high performing insulated glazing, which vastly exceed the code required minimums for glazing performance and provide ample light and views without the energy loss usually associated with larger windows.

NEC Student Lounge

  • The rear of the parking garage roof is designed to be a green roof that creates an outdoor space for students and University events while also reducing the flow of rainwater and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
  • First Floor:
    includes a student advising center, meeting and conference space, a two-story student lounge featuring the reconstructed iconic entrance to the former Glen Cairn Arms and gallery space to display inventions, artifacts and memorabilia from Thomas Alva Edison donated to the Thomas Edison State University Foundation by John and Eileen Martinson.
  • Second Floor:
    W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing, including the nursing simulation laboratories, lecture halls and classrooms.
  • Third Floor:
    additional meeting rooms and office space.
  • The site was previously home to the Glen Cairn Mansion in the late 19th century and the recently demolished Glen Cairn Arms apartment complex.
  • The site is located on West State Street and Calhoun Street, and features views of the Delaware River, the Calhoun Street Bridge and the Trenton skyline.

Budget top of page

  • The total project cost is approximately $26.2 million, including:
    • $1.5 million for demolition of the Glen Cairn Arms and site remediation and preparation.
    • $24.7 million for design and construction of the building.
  • Approximately $12.7 million of the project cost is being funded by the Building Our Future Bond Act, approved by New Jersey voters in 2012.

Project Timeline top of page

  • Demolition of the Glen Cairn Arms began in September 2013 and was completed in November 2013.
  • Construction began in June 2014 
  • The University celebrated the opening of the building on Sept. 16, 2016
  • Architect is Clarke Caton Hintz, of Trenton, N.J.
  • Construction Manager is Joseph Jingoli & Son, Inc., of Lawrenceville, N.J.
  • General Contractor is Epic, of Piscataway, N.J.

Toni M. Terry, BA

"I am 67 years old, soon to be 68, and to be able to say I did this at this day in my life is just gratification for my own self."

Watch Toni »