Michigan State University in East Lansing has announced G&G Project Sparta, a joint venture between Gillespie Group and Goldenrod Cos., as the developer of the Spartan Gateway District, a public-private partnership that includes a new hotel, retail and dining spaces, and an athletic arena.
To be located on the west side of campus, along Harrison Road, and near Spartan Stadium and Munn Ice Arena, the new athletic facility will accommodate volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics events.
The arena also will include locker rooms, coaching offices, and university classrooms to support various academic departments. The arena seating capacity has not been determined.
The Spartan Gateway District will be developed in multiple phases. The first phase will include the arena, which is slated to be operational by late 2027. Additional phases featuring a hotel, housing, office, and retail and dining spaces will follow.
The timeline for the final phase, which will expand the university’s use of the facilities, has not been determined.
“At Michigan State, we are always looking toward the future — a future that fosters robust academic enrichment, encourages intellectual curiosity, and supports the community that supports us,” says Kevin M. Guskiewicz, president of MSU.
“The Spartan Gateway District lays the foundation for exponential academic and economic growth, attracting business and industry partners to be a part of our innovative campus, which will benefit students, faculty, staff, and our entire community. I am excited to see the district become a permanent addition to our Spartan community.”
During its meeting last week, the MSU Board of Trustees’ approved the next step in the transformation of the 14-acre site into a lasting gateway to MSU — one that drives long-term impact, enhances the campus experience for future generations, and strengthens the connection between the university and the broader community.
“A development like this represents a bold vision for the future of MSU, one that enhances the student experience, ignites sustained economic momentum, and creates an iconic gateway that radiates the spirit, innovation, and inclusive values of both the campus and the East Lansing community,” says Pat Gillespie, founder and CEO of Gillespie Group in Lansing. “It’s not just a project; it’s a catalyst for generations.”
Aligned with the university’s campus facility and land use plan and outreach and engagement efforts with surrounding communities, the Spartan Gateway District will be designed within MSU’s Vision 2050 framework for future development.
“The Spartan Gateway District is an incredibly exciting opportunity to partner with Michigan State University on a project that will help shape the future of both campus and community life,” says Zach Wiegert, managing principal of Goldenrod Cos. in Omaha, Nebraska.
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