Massive Vestal Off-Campus Student Community Opens

The first of hundreds of Binghamton University students have moved into Retreat at Bunn Hill, a 44-acre development south of the main campus in Vestal.

Even as construction continues on sections of the 161-unit complex, many of the cottage-style buildings are serving as home as fall semester classes get underway.

A sign at the main entrance to "The Retreat" on Bunn Hill Road in Vestal on August 18, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Landmark Properties of Athens, Georgia acquired the property between Bunn Hill and Jensen roads from the Kradjian family. The site was sold in October 2024 for $6.8 million.

Landmark moved forward with the project after some Vestal residents who opposed the development lost a legal battle to block it.

FLASHBACK: A sign opposing the Retreat at Bunn Hill posted at a Vestal home on May 6, 2020. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

What had been a heavily-wooded area has been transformed into a high-density residential community that eventually will house about 700 students.

"Move-In Day" for the Retreat at Bunn Hill was last Friday. It's not known how many students are already living in the community.

Although much of the basic construction work including paving of streets has been completed, crews remained busy at the site on Tuesday.

A shuttle bus transported Retreat at Bunn Hill residents to the Binghamton University campus on August 18, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The new streets off Bunn Hill Road bear the names like Retreat Way, Brookshire Drive, Birchmore Drive, Artisan Way and Thornberry Drive.

A few students were seen walking toward the Binghamton University campus Tuesday morning along the shoulder of Bunn Hill Road.

Some Retreat at Bunn Hill residents took a shuttle bus to reach the campus, which is located about a mile away.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: A two-minute stroll on a Retreat at Bunn Hill street on August 18, 2026.

WNBF NEWS FLASHBACK: Here's what the Retreat at Bunn Hill site looked like six years ago.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.

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Filed Under: Binghamton News, Bob Joseph, Retreat at Bunn Hill, student housing, SUNY, Vestal

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