Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of California, Riverside Breaks Ground on $285M Student Housing Facility

  • By Matt Jones
  • 12/07/23

The University of California, Riverside recently broke ground on a new student housing project on its campus, according to a news release. The North District Phase 2 Student Housing Development will measure in at 424,000 square feet and cost an estimated $285 million. The residence facility will provide housing to both UCR students and students from the Riverside Community College District.

The university is partnering with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. for the project’s construction. Both UCR and RCCD have experienced recent bursts in enrollment necessitating adequate, affordable housing for students.

“The McCarthy team is proud to be part of this revolutionary project, which helps bridge the gap between larger universities and community colleges,” said McCarthy Vice President Sarah Carr. “This housing development will provide affordable options that will enhance graduation rates not only for UCR students, but for Riverside City College students as well—a benefit to the entire community.”

The new facility will feature 429 single- and double-occupancy, apartment-style units with between one and four bedrooms, a kitchen, and living room space. The building will also include amenities like WiFi, air conditioning, study areas and communal spaces, a café, outdoor fields, and a park. Funding comes partially from the State Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program.

“We can’t solve all the problems that are challenges for students, but we can solve those two by bringing students to the campus, letting them live here, wear their UCR or RCC T-shirt, and just be part of the campus,” said UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox. “It breaks down a barrier and aside from the housing, it provides them with a different sense of themselves.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.