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The University of Tampa announced today plans to construct its largest residence hall to date, a new 833-bed facility located one block south of campus. The project is part of a strategic effort to meet sustained student demand and expand access to high-quality housing in Tampa’s increasingly competitive housing market. Rising 11 stories at the corner of S. Boulevard and Cleveland Street, the residence hall is scheduled to open in Fall 2028.

Designed to support first- and second-year students, the residence hall will provide a modern, intentionally designed living environment that supports academic success, community connection and student well-being. The building will include suite-style units with shared living space, along with study lounges, two common rooms, dining facilities, bicycle storage and surface parking.

The project responds to continued growth in student demand and strong interest in the University’s residential experience. In recent years, UTampa has seen sustained enrollment growth and high demand for on-campus housing, with a significant share of first- and second-year students seeking to live near campus. The new residence hall will expand capacity and help ensure more students can access the academic and co-curricular benefits of living in a residential university environment.

After a nationally competitive procurement process, the University chose to partner with RISE, a national student housing developer, to deliver the project. RISE will finance and construct the building, while the University of Tampa will own the property and operate the residence hall. RISE will also manage building maintenance and custodial services.

UTampa President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg said the new residence hall will help meet both immediate and long-term housing needs while advancing the University’s continued campus evolution.

“As demand for a UTampa education continues to grow, expanding access to high-quality housing near campus is essential to student success,” Dahlberg said. “This project allows us to expand access to the on-campus experience for more students while strengthening our campus community and supporting Tampa’s continued growth.”

The project includes improvements to surrounding infrastructure, including enhanced pedestrian and cyclist pathways along S. Boulevard and an upgraded HART bus shelter at Cleveland Street and Fielding Avenue. These enhancements are designed to improve safety, accessibility and connectivity between the residence hall and the main campus. Located within close proximity to campus, the residence hall is designed to support student needs while minimizing broader housing pressure in surrounding neighborhoods by increasing dedicated student housing near the University.

Jeremy Doss, senior vice president of RISE, said they are proud to supporting a campus experience that continues to attract strong student demand from throughout the country. 

“UTampa’s unique setting, vibrant campus environment, and connection to the Tampa community create an exceptional experience for students,” Doss said. “This new residence hall will further enhance opportunities for connection, engagement and success.”

The University most recently opened the Grand Center residence hall in Fall 2024, which primarily houses first-year students. Demand for on-campus housing remains strong.

“This project is about expanding access to a residential experience that supports both academic achievement and a strong sense of belonging,” said Stephanie Russell Krebs, vice president of student affairs and strategic initiatives. “We know students who are connected to campus resources and community are more likely to persist and succeed, and this residence hall allows us to extend those opportunities to more students.”

The building is designed to complement the existing UTampa campus while respecting the character of the surrounding neighborhood, with an exterior incorporating red brick, stucco and glass. An adjacent park and courtyard will provide additional green space.

The building is being designed by Niles Bolton Associates, and the general contractor is Juneau Construction.

Consistent with the University’s commitment to a responsible and sustainable campus, the building is being designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards through the U.S. Green Building Council.