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

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • 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.

  • LAN, Inc. Opens Office in College Station, Texas

    Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) recently announced the opening of a new office in College Station, Texas, to support its regional client base, according to a news release. The organization provides engineering, design, and program management services for water, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and education clients in the Brazos Valley.

  • sapling sprouting from a cracked stone

    Lessons in Resilience: Disaster Recovery in Our Schools

    Facility managers play a pivotal role in how well a school weathers and recovers from a crisis. Whether it's a hurricane, a flood, a tornado, or a man-made event, preparation determines resilience.

Digital Edition