RIVERSIDE, CA - University of California, Riverside (UCR) and American Campus Communities (NYSE: ACC) held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of North District, a new living-learning, mixed-use community.
As the second ACC development at UCR, North District is a multiphase redevelopment project of the former Canyon Crest Family Housing site that will provide up to 6,000 new student housing beds upon completion of the final phase of development.
The project is planned on a 50-acre site on the northern part of the UCR campus, just north of Linden Street. By 2021, the first phase of this public-private partnership (P3) between UCR and American Campus Communities is expected to deliver 1,500 apartment-style beds for upper division undergraduate students, transfer students, and graduate students. Future phases will also provide residence hall housing for first-year students, new dining facilities, and mixed-use residential and athletic facilities.
The new community’s pricing for students will be consistent with similar, older on-campus accommodations. UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox noted the importance of the housing development, given projected student enrollment of 35,000 by 2035.
“This project will help us prepare for this tremendous growth,” Wilcox said. “In partnering with ACC, it is exciting to see how this new student housing project brings fresh, affordable housing specifically designed to create a sense of place and belonging for students. Part of this vision includes residential life programs that will provide a balance of privacy while embracing community to enhance the overall academic experience for our students.”
The North District project will include new dining facilities, a NCAA Division I competition field, a Field House facility, functional open spaces, and multi-use spaces that can serve as classrooms, meeting spaces and study areas. More than 100,000 square feet will be dedicated to student support amenities provided by retail, commercial and University services. The university and contractor are targeting LEED Gold certification — a rating that spotlights a building’s “green” features — from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Architects from Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) designed the community, which creates a new campus “gateway” on the north side of campus while providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to central campus.
“Public-private partnerships such as this one are important when it comes to helping universities reach their goal for quality affordable student housing while still meeting the needs of the rising student population,” said James Wilhelm, executive vice-president of public-private transactions for American Campus Communities. “We are glad to continue this partnership with UCR to develop living spaces and resources in order for students to achieve academic success and individual well-being.”
American Campus Communities is also working with UCR on construction of Dundee Hall and Glasgow Dining Hall, scheduled to open fall 2020. North District marks the company’s seventh P3 development within The University of California system.