DAVIS, CA - The University of California, Davis, (UC Davis) breaks ground on a new student housing complex that will add nearly 3,300 beds to the university’s West Village neighborhood. With its first 1,000 beds expected to be delivered by the start of the Fall 2020 academic year, the UC Davis project is currently the largest student housing development in the US.
The Michaels Organization is the developer for the West Village project and recently announced the successful closing of $575 million in financing. The full $575 million in project costs will come from the proceeds of a tax-exempt bond sale, the largest bond sale ever in the US for a student housing project. The Michaels Organization is working with global design, architecture and engineering firm Stantec, which is providing lead architectural, interiors, buildings engineering and landscape architecture services for the project. CBG Building Company is the general contractor.
“Increasing our on-campus housing inventory for our students has been a goal for us for many years,” said Emily Galindo, interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs at UC Davis. “Moving the project into construction is an important and exciting step forward.”
The new housing has a goal of reaching 100 percent net-zero energy efficiency on an annual basis, which means the project is designed to generate as much energy as it uses within a year. The project, set on 34 acres, will comprise nine four-story apartment buildings along with indoor and outdoor community space and recreational fields. A 10,000-square-foot community building will house a fitness center, multipurpose room, and student support services. Originally, West Village was planned for 1,875 beds. However, UC Davis, the Michaels Organization and Stantec worked together to develop a plan that provides reduced space for student vehicles and more living space, allowing for substantially more residential units.
“This revised approach strengthens the pedestrian and bike culture of the overall campus and will promote a strong communal environment for the enrichment of the student residents,” said Sean Studzinski, Stantec principal, National Residence Life.
“We’re inspired to see such an important project move forward for the UC Davis community,” said Richey Madison, Stantec principal, West Coast Education. “UC Davis is truly thinking about the future of the university, its student population and the community. To be part of a public-private partnership team helping to develop this new phase of on-campus housing is a tremendous privilege, and we are excited to break ground.”
Stantec will also be collaborating with the Michaels Organization on the Orchard Park apartment expansion at UC Davis, which will provide additional housing for graduates and families. Stantec is providing interior design, along with landscape architecture and site planning.