University of California begins construction begins on mixed-use development

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) and American Campus Communities recently broke ground on North District, a mixed-use community anchored by new student housing buildings.

The project is situated on the university’s campus in Riverside, a city located in the Inland Empire about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

Upon full build-out, the project will feature up to 6,000 new student housing beds, new dining facilities, an NCAA Division I competition field, a field house sports facility, functional open spaces, multi-use spaces that can serve as classrooms, meeting spaces and study areas, and more than 100,000 square feet for retail, commercial and university services.

The project, a redevelopment of the former Canyon Crest Family Housing site, is part of UCR’s vision for creating a “living-learning” campus, much like other mixed-use developments seek a live-work-play environment.

North District is located on a 50-acre site on the northern part of the UCR campus. By 2021, the first phase of this public-private partnership is expected to deliver 1,500 apartment-style beds for students. Future phases will also provide residence hall housing for first-year students.

The university and contractor are targeting LEED Gold certification. Architects from Solomon Cordwell Buenz designed the community which creates a new campus gateway on the north side of campus while providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to central campus.

In addition, American Campus Communities is working with the UCR on construction of Dundee Hall and Glasgow Dining Hall. These projects are scheduled to open fall 2020.