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

  • nursing students talk while studying in a hallway

    Elsevier Launches VR Simulation Solution for Nursing Students

    Elsevier has introduced Shadow Health Lab with Virtual Reality, a simulation platform that allows nursing students to interact with virtual patients and build clinical judgment skills in a safe, realistic environment.

  • Minnesota District Converts Middle School into Community Hub

    White Bear Lake Area Schools in White Bear Lake, Minn., recently announced the end of a major renovation project that converted a former middle school into a new centralized district and community hub, according to a news release.

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • Chicago District Completes Construction on New Elementary School

    North Chicago School District 187 in North Chicago, Ill., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Forrestal Elementary School, according to a news release. The new school marks a major investment in military-connected students and families at Naval Station Great Lakes.