Demolition begins on next phase of SDSU student housing expansion

California Construction News staff writer

Demolition has begun on the next phase of San Diego State University’s Evolve student housing program, clearing the way for a new 11-story apartment building that will expand on-campus housing as part of the university’s long-term growth strategy.

General contractor Swinerton announced the start of demolition for the Metepec site, known as SDSU Evolve Project 2 – Apartment 1, marking the beginning of construction on a $102 million design-build project.

Designed by Gensler, with Coffman Engineers serving as structural engineer, the apartment-style residence will provide housing for upper-class students. The building will include 95 fully furnished four-bedroom apartments, each with two bathrooms, a kitchen and shared living space. The project also features an exterior with exterior insulation and finish systems, storefront glazing, punched windows and an exposed concrete core.

Construction of Metepec began this summer after the former Metepec and Huaxtepec apartment buildings were taken offline and demolished following the completion of the spring 2026 semester. The new residence hall is expected to open in 2028.

Metepec is the latest project in SDSU’s multi-phase Evolve housing initiative, following construction of the Texcoco residence hall, Plaza del Sol community center and University Towers East.

The broader Evolve program is intended to increase the university’s supply of financially competitive on-campus housing while supporting its two-year live-on requirement for non-local students. University officials say students who live on campus tend to achieve higher academic success than those who commute.

Phases 1A and 1B of the program, currently under construction, will add about 1,370 student beds. Texcoco, a suite-style residence hall with 323 suites, and Plaza del Sol, a new dining and community center, are both scheduled to open in fall 2026. University Towers East, a traditional residence hall with 357 double-occupancy units for first-year students, is expected to open in fall 2027.

Phase 2, which includes Metepec, will add about 760 additional student beds. Future phases, planned over the next four years and pending approval by the California State University Board of Trustees, would further expand campus housing capacity.

The university said the phased construction schedule is designed to maintain housing availability by completing new residences before older buildings are decommissioned.

During construction, students living in nearby residence halls can expect periodic noise, increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and temporary changes to walkways. General construction activities are scheduled Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., while concrete pours at the Metepec site are expected to take place from fall 2026 through spring 2027 on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, beginning as early as 3 a.m. and continuing until as late as 9 p.m.