FAU is renovating an empty room on the Boca Raton campus into a “commuter lounge” as part of a larger Student Union expansion. Student Union Director Chris Lynch told the University Press the lounge will offer a place for all students to relax and recharge between classes. Construction is underway, but no opening date has been announced.
The project will transform the Diamond Palm Room, situated next to the esports arena that opened on the first floor in 2020, following a year-long wait, as reported in a previous University Press article. Lynch said the Student Union designed the Diamond Palm Room that same year, but the space was temporarily repurposed for events while a permanent use plan was being evaluated.
According to 2024 Student Union Expansion documentation, the university’s proposed plans include a new one-story building for a multipurpose event center, an outdoor courtyard leading toward the library, updated exterior facades for existing facilities, and minor renovations to three first-floor spaces, reportedly including the Diamond Palm Room. A clear completion date for the full expansion project has not been officially confirmed.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Bree-Ann Ferraro, a contributing writer for the University Press, contributed to this report.
