In an era where student housing is evolving beyond traditional dormitories, developers are aiming to create environments reminiscent of boutique hotels, focusing on amenities and communal spaces.
According to Tamara Romeo, CEO of Southcoast Design Group, the firm behind new off-campus housing complexes Stateside and Monte near San Diego State University (SDSU), the mandate was clear: make apartments feel like upscale hotel lounges.
“Those spaces where people could gather outside of their apartments like they would in a hotel lounge or at a gym or at the spa—developers wanted us to create that same sort of vibe in the housing community,” she explains.
Students at these complexes can enjoy conference rooms and public study spaces designed to feel like hip cafés or coffee shops.
Romeo mentions the popular roof decks at both properties, where students congregate to study, read, or socialize, further bridging the gap between living and community engagement.
Moreover, the amenities offered are not limited to just stylish shared spaces.
With features such as in-unit laundry, complimentary coffee, and smart home technology integration via platforms like Alexa or Google Home, living in these student housing units often contrasts sharply with typical dorm facilities.
Students receive furnishings akin to those found in traditional dorms, such as extra-long twin beds, yet live in what can easily be mistaken for upscale apartment complexes.
Romeo notes a trend where developers understand that today’s students expect a lifestyle that nurtures their happiness and well-being during their college years.
Parents also endorse this approach, believing it enhances their children’s academic experience and future aspirations which translate to improved performance academically.
While pricing remains a concern, with rates starting at $1,012 per person in a shared room at Monte, living off-campus may actually prove more economical than staying in SDSU dorms.
For comparison, a sophomore attending SDSU could expect to pay $1,178 monthly for a spot in a triple dorm without a meal plan, making Stateside’s $851 pricing for the same accommodation an attractive alternative.
However, the advantages of being steps away from classes and campus activities extend beyond financial implications.
Bob Schulz, associate vice president for real estate, planning, and development at SDSU, asserts that traditional dorms often facilitate a richer college experience.
He shares his observations from previous roles, noting that while students may prefer executive-style apartments, those in conventional dorms tend to forge more meaningful connections, resulting in higher GPAs and improved retention rates for sophomore year.
Freshmen, who live in more communal environments, benefit from constant interaction with their peers, as daily routines in dorms create organic opportunities for engagement.
Schulz elaborates, stating that in traditional dorms, students often know 50 to 60 classmates closely, in contrast to the limited circle found in an apartment layout.
This understanding has informed SDSU’s future housing plans, particularly with the University Towers East, designed specifically for freshmen.
Breaking ground this summer and set for completion in 2027, it will feature double-occupancy rooms with shared restrooms amid expansive communal spaces.
Another forthcoming structure, Tarastec, aims to house freshmen and sophomores, combining suite-style living with shared lounge areas to encourage residents to interact.
Schulz explains, “[It] has suites with interior bathrooms, but no kitchen amenities.
It also has substantially more shared lounge and program space, so you can go to the bathroom in your unit, but we want you to get outside and walk down to the shared kitchen to create a sense of community.”
The ongoing developments at SDSU form part of the multi-phase Evolved Student Housing project, which is set to add 5,220 student beds on campus.
As the plans progress, future buildings will include four-bedroom apartments intended for upper-division students, reflecting a trend toward housing reminiscent of market-rate apartments prevalent in the region.
Schulz acknowledges the changing dynamics around payment options, as the cost of San Diego housing presents challenges for students.
To mitigate this, the university emphasizes competitive pricing, ensuring they can maximize bed offerings without elevating costs unnecessarily.
He recalls that the selected contractor was able to provide 160 additional beds at comparable price points to other options in the area, reaffirming their commitment to affordability.
Unlike private developers, the university is restrained by live-on requirements for freshmen and sophomores, which affects their capacity to build lavish amenities.
Instead of swimming pools or lazy rivers, the focus is on providing efficient living arrangements that cater to student needs.
Affordability is equally prioritized at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which faces its unique housing challenges given its location in the affluent La Jolla neighborhood.
UCSD aims to develop sufficient on-campus residences to house every enrolled student, adhering to strict budget considerations for design and construction.
Dennis Brown, program manager at UC San Diego Capital Program Management, elaborates on this, emphasizing the scrutiny applied to past projects for efficiency and value, while ensuring a quality living experience for students.
Recent developments at UCSD, including Theatre District and Pepper Canyon West, as well as the upcoming Ridge Walk North, embody a vision of “living and learning neighborhoods” that prioritize integration between residential and academic spaces.
Brown explains that these projects are designed to draw students into community, featuring shared facilities like classrooms and retail spaces alongside housing units.
Both Ridge Walk North and Pepper Canyon West provide private kitchens in residential units, reflecting a shift away from traditional dormitory styles, which often included shared restroom facilities per floor.
However, these new residences are also equipped with spaces designed to promote interaction among students, with shared laundry rooms adjacent to study areas.
Brown emphasizes the importance of outdoor space, as locations within the buildings offer residents a chance to enjoy San Diego’s favorable climate while mingling with peers.
The innovation in UCSD housing goes beyond material comfort, as the design embodies flexibility and originality.
“Students have been looking for spaces that reflect their needs,” Brown points out, highlighting areas designed for multifaceted use.
Furnishings are movable, enabling personalization within suites, and acknowledging the students’ desire to establish a unique identity within their living environments.
While neither SDSU nor UCSD aim for their facilities to become luxury hotels, they recognize that today’s college students seek living situations that allow them to express themselves and cultivate connections.
In the ongoing development of these housing complexes, the emphasis on community engagement and student happiness promises to set a new benchmark in college living experiences.
image source from：https://sandiegomagazine.com/everything-sd/san-diego-future-student-housing-developments/
