UC Davis breaks ground on largest student housing project in US

The University of California, Davis, (UC Davis) breaks ground today 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.

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.

Stantec in Education Design
Stantec is ranked among the nation’s leading design firms for education projects. Building Design + Construction magazine recently named Stantec the No. 1 Architecture/Engineering firm in the United States for the second consecutive year. Stantec was also ranked in the top 10 for the University Sector and No. 1 in K-12 education design.

Stantec has been designing campus environments for more than 62 years and has more than 450 education clients. Special areas of focus include student housing, science and technology facilities, academic medical centers, student centers and dining facilities, academic facilities, libraries, and campus planning.

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.

We care about the communities we serve—because they’re our communities too. We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe. Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.                                             

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the project described above, including statements regarding Stantec’s role and involvement on the project. Forward-looking statements also include any other statements that do not refer to historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is a risk that the projects described above may be delayed, cancelled, suspended or terminated. This could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this news release. Except as may be required by law, Stantec undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Forward‑looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed project referred to above and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

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