University of Rhode Island, Gilbane Partner for Three New Residence Halls
The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I., recently announced a public-private partnership with construction development firm Gilbane, according to a news release. Gilbane will soon start construction on three new residence halls with a total of 1,100 beds: two with apartment-style suites in northwest campus, and a reconstruction of the Graduate Village Apartments for graduate students. The first is set to open in fall 2027.
The two on-campus residence halls will contain 914 new beds and are scheduled to open in August 2027 and August 2028. The Graduate Village complex will house 200; the existing facility will close in May 2026, and the new one will open in fall 2028, according to the news release.
“We’re seeing more and more students who want to live on campus—close to their classes, friends, and everything that makes our URI community so special,” said University President Marc Parlange. “Expanding our on-campus housing will give students even more access to the resources and amenities that support their success. This project is an important step forward for our University and advances our strategic priorities to enhance student achievement and strengthen our inclusive, supportive campus culture. We deeply appreciate the leadership and partnership of Gov. McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, the General Assembly, and all our elected leaders in advancing the public-private collaboration that is making this project a reality.”
The new residence halls coincide with renovations to the fine arts center and a series of major investments in the university system’s Narragansett Bay Campus, primarily an Ocean Robotics Laboratory. The university recently received a designation as an R1 institutions in the most recent Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the news release reports.
“This project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can help us meet the growing demand for on-campus living,” said Abby Benson, university vice president for administration and finance. “By collaborating with experienced partners, we’re able to move forward efficiently and deliver high-quality residence halls that complement our campus and serve our students well. This approach allows us to expand housing options without diverting resources from other academic priorities, helping us create a vibrant, inclusive environment where students can thrive.”
About the Author
Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].