Gateway is one of the top community colleges in the state, serving more than 11,000 students a year. Its new consolidated campus is a key element in New Haven's plans to revitalize the southwest precinct of the city. Its presence in the center of New Haven enables the college to play a central role in the educational, economic and workforce development initiatives in the Greater New Haven region.

The campus occupies a two-block site along Church Street. Transparency, openness, identity and engagement characterize the design. The two site parcels are united into a single campus with a light-filled linear atrium, an "internal street", that spans George Street with a multi-story glass wall. The building culminates in a curved 3-story glass volume that houses the college's library and makes a dramatic urban gesture as a "gateway" to the city.

The College's new home optimizes learning opportunities, engages the community, incorporates efficiency and sustainability, projects a strong institutional identity and provides an inviting, secure campus environment for its diverse student body. The public atrium is a visible space defined by an interactive "learning wall" that allows views into the building and features interactive displays. Within the atrium, stadium seating can be used for studying, informal and formal gatherings.

Program elements include teaching and administrative space for general education, allied health, culinary arts and early childhood development as well as community accessible spaces including an art gallery and meeting rooms. The project also includes a day care center and a 600-car parking garage.

Tracking LEED-NC Gold certification, Gateway Community College’s new campus incorporates numerous sustainable strategies and technologies, including solar hot water, ice storage, photovoltaic and green roof systems.