Student Housing Daily - October 22, 2026 - WKU and Gilbane break ground on 1,000-bed, $350M residence hall project

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NEWS ROUNDUP

DEVELOPMENT: WKU and Gilbane break ground on 1,000-bed, $350 million residence hall project. Western Kentucky University has broken ground on a roughly 1,000-bed residence hall in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the first phase of a multi-year housing initiative called Elevate WKU. The project is a public-private partnership with Gilbane, and its approximately $350 million cost covers the new hall, defeasance of Student Life Foundation debt, and repairs and renovations to existing facilities. The complex replaces two of WKU's oldest residence halls on the same site and will have private and semi-private suites, community kitchens, a 24-hour study area, new dining options and a classroom for living learning communities. President Timothy C. Caboni said student feedback shaped decisions on privacy, community space and affordability, and Geoff Eisenacher, vice president of development at Gilbane Development, said the project is designed around how students live and learn. Mackey Mitchell Architects designed the building, and Gilbane has developed more than 55,000 student housing beds across more than 100 campuses.

ACQUISITION: Strategic Facility Partners and Xavier acquire 608 beds for $73.1 million. Strategic Facility Partners, a Columbus-based nonprofit, has acquired a 608-bed mixed-use student housing community next to Xavier University's campus in Norwood, Ohio, for $73.1 million in partnership with the university. SFP financed the purchase with bonds, which keeps the property off Xavier's balance sheet, and the partners plan a $20 million rehabilitation that will fold the community into Xavier's housing offerings. The apartments are about 65% occupied, which SFP Executive Vice President Archie Chandrasekhar said came from several years of declining enrollment and a lack of reinvestment by the previous owner. Xavier CFO Kevan Buck said the structure gives the university a meaningful role in running the property as it plans for more upperclassmen and medical students, and spokesperson David Hamilton said the effort is tied to strengthening the student experience. Xavier's incoming freshman class of about 920 students is roughly a third larger than last year's, and its College of Osteopathic Medicine is set to open across the street.

DEVELOPMENT: Long Beach City College breaks ground on $127 million, 431-bed student housing complex. Long Beach City College has broken ground on a $127 million, 431-bed student housing complex on its Liberal Arts Campus in Long Beach, California, the first student housing in the college's history. The roughly 108,000-square-foot building will have studio, single and double units with shared kitchens and laundry, and is funded by the voter-approved Measures LB and AC. California State University Long Beach will operate it under the Long Beach Housing Promise, a coalition of LBCC, the City of Long Beach, CSULB and the Long Beach Unified School District. Board of Trustees President Uduak-Joe Ntuk said voters entrusted the college with the investment, and Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz said no student should have to choose between stable housing and finishing their education. AC Martin is the architect, Swinerton the general contractor and Cordoba Corporation the project manager, and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Councilmember Megan Kerr and LBCC's Dr. Candace Jones, Dr. Nohel Corral, Dr. Ennette Morton, Dr. Virginia Baxter, Sunny Zia, Dr. Vivian Malauulu, Elepise Leiataua and Caro Cardenas also attended.

DEVELOPMENT: Sundt completes 512-bed residence hall at Cal State Fullerton. Sundt has completed a six-story, 512-bed apartment-style residence hall at California State University, Fullerton, its second student housing project for the university. HMC Architects designed the building, which was funded through the CSU Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program and includes the university's first reduced-rate housing for eligible students. The complex sits next to the campus arboretum and has apartments with kitchens and living areas, resident adviser and staff apartments, laundry, a convenience market, a café and outdoor space around a central courtyard. Jim Householder, vice president and Irvine regional director at Sundt, said the design focused on creating a place where students feel at home and that supporting student well-being has been central to the firm's work with CSUF.

READ: Fountain selects Greystar to manage 488 beds near Clemson University.

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