Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

UT-Austin Breaks Ground on Grad Student Housing

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/20/22

The University of Texas at Austin recently began construction on a graduate student housing development in the Blackland neighborhood in East Austin, according to a news release. The development will have the capacity for 784 beds across studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The project was originally conceived in the 2015 East Campus Master Plan, and construction is scheduled for completion by fall 2024.

The new housing complex will feature amenities like public courtyards, a fitness center, an outdoor classroom, an amphitheater, public and private study spaces, and a large multipurpose space for community and student events.

“UT Austin is committed to attracting and developing talented, high-impact graduate students, and to do so, we are working to provide more affordable housing options that also promote a sense of community,” said University President Jay Hartzell. “I am grateful for our ongoing conversations with the Blackland Neighborhood Association, and I am excited to collaborate as we go forward so our graduate students are both contributing to and benefiting from the vibrancy of the neighborhood.”

The university is partnering with American Campus Communities during the construction phase and will also get input from advisory firm Brailsford & Dunleavy, according to a news release. The finished housing community will be managed and operated by University Housing and Dining.

Construction begins on the heels of another university announcement regarding the purchase of Dobie Twenty21, a 27-story residential complex located just off campus. The two projects combined will provide students with an additional 1,700 beds in university-managed, affordable student housing, the press release states.

"Getting back to near-normal operations this semester has rekindled our passion for the residential experience and campus community, which are central to the UT experience," Hartzell told local news in October 2021. "And we know that having students closer to campus helps them build community and thrive academically."

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Rowan University, HPE Partner on New Learning Initiative

    Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., recently announced that it has expanded its partnership with enterprise technology provider HPE to improve research capabilities and hands-on learning opportunities, according to a news release.

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • Western Kentucky University, Gilbane Announce “Elevate WKU” Partnership

    Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., recently announced that it has reached the financial close on a on a public-private partnership (P3) with Gilbane Development, according to a news release.