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UC Riverside Completes $285M, Multi-School Student Housing Development

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/09/25

The University of California, Riverside, recently announced the completion of a $285-million student housing complex offering 1,568 beds across 429 units, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., designer Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), and the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) to deliver the full project within a year and nine months.

The 424,000-square-foot facility is located on UCR’s main campus and, according to the news release, is the “first completed public intersegmental housing project in the country, providing affordable student housing for both UCR and RCCD students.” The approach allows RCCD students access to the four-year campus’ amenities and support services, an arrangement intended to promote student wellness.

“This project represents a breakthrough in how we think about access to housing and education,” said McCarthy Vice President Sarah Carr. “By delivering high-quality, affordable housing in record time, we’re helping to expand opportunities for students across the region and creating a replicable model for institutions nationwide.”

McCarthy used prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) wall and floor panels manufactured off-site and delivered immediately before installation. The process allowed production rates of as much as 18,000 square feet per week to accelerate the construction timeline.

The building stands seven stories and offers single- and double-occupancy rooms, each containing kitchens, living rooms, and in-unit AC and WiFi, the news release reports. Other amenities include study lounges, a fitness center, a café and market, outdoor courtyards, and sports fields.

“The North District 2 project, with its monumental pedestrian loggia, was always envisioned as both a literal and symbolic gateway to the UCR campus,” said SCB Principal Tim Stevens. “It is especially meaningful as a welcoming threshold for RCCD transfer students, embodying the spirit of an intersegmental campus community. By embracing a higher-density residential model, UCR not only advances affordability but also creates an inclusive, supportive environment that enriches the student experience and strengthens connections.”

About the Author

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

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