The University of Cincinnati‘s(UC) board of trustees approved spending an additional $275 million for its planned Block 1 & 2 housing development. The project will transform a 2.1-acre site at East McMillan and Vine streets in Clifton Heights, expanding UC’s campus southward.
Now, the Block 1 & 2 development costs total $326 million, more than triple the project’s original 2022 estimate. Carl Dieso, UC’s assistant vice president for housing services, told me this housing project represents the university’s largest to date in terms of bed capacity and dollar amount.
The university bought the land from Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. after the board approved spending $8.25 million for the acquisition in 2023.
Previously, the board had approved $15 million for the project’s design work and an additional $36 million to fund site development. Pat Kowalski, UC’s senior vice president for administration and finance, has called it a “gateway project” for the university.
Pat Kowalski, UC’s senior vice president for administration and finance, calls this a “gateway project” for the university.
Record-Breaking Scale
“This project stands as our largest housing development ever, both in bed capacity and cost,” says Carl Dieso, UC’s assistant vice president for housing services.
Design Features
Block 1
Block 1 will include three buildings of traditional university housing, connected by ground-level common space. It also will include a 20,000-square-foot campus recreation/fitness center and a parking garage with 201 spots.
Block 2
Block 2 will include one building for traditional university housing, changing from the original plan for apartment-style units.
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Student-Focused Approach
“We prioritize affordability and student experience,” Dieso explains. “Instead of building a standard market-rate building, we designed junior suites at our second-lowest price point to maximize community building.”
Meeting Growing Demands
“This project gives us more control over spaces, so as we’ve managed demand and grown to meet student interest in housing, we’ve had to pick up buildings we don’t own,” Dieso said. “This gives us total control, and also it provides a volume of beds in a style that better suits the students we want to have in the housing program.”
The UC’s block 1 & 2 housing development will also include a police safety substation.
UC has undertaken numerous construction projects throughout the last decade, including renovations to Rieveschl Hall and its Old Chemistry Building. It also plans to replace Crosley Tower.
UC projects 25% housing demand increase by 2030
Current leased portfolio: 25%
Expected leased portfolio by 2031 without new construction: 45%
Project adds 1,310 new beds
UC currently supports over 8,000 student beds
Timeline
Turner Construction has begun site work on the upcoming block 1 & 2 housing development, with student move-in planned for fall 2027.
Campus Evolution
UC continues to break enrollment records year after year, moving away from its previous status as a commuter school. It now maintains more than 8,000 beds for student housing.
Students value opportunities to participate in campus life and to build support communities as well as social, academic and professional ties through living-learning communities, extracurricular activities, athletics, research opportunities, co-op education, and more.
The university aims to provide both a sense of belonging and forward-looking pathways through structured and unstructured opportunities that help students build lifelong friendships and career connections.
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UC’s Block 1 & 2 Housing Development Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Northwest corner of East McMillan and Vine streets, Clifton Heights
Site Area: 2.1 acres
Total Beds: 1,310
Expected Completion: Fall 2027
Total Project Cost: $326 million
Budget Breakdown
Construction & Soft Costs: $275 million
Land Acquisition: $8.25 million
Design Work: $15 million
Site Development: $36 million
UC’s Block 1 & 2 housing development: Block 1 Features
Three interconnected buildings
Traditional university housing
20,000 sq ft campus recreation/fitness center
201-space parking garage
Police safety substation
Community spaces on ground level
Block 2 Features
Single building structure
Traditional university housing format
Community kitchens
TV viewing areas
Multipurpose room
Meeting rooms
Junior suite configuration
Student Housing Impact
Current Portfolio
Total UC Housing Capacity: 8,000+ beds
Future Projections
Expected Demand Increase: 25% by 2030
Projected Leased Portfolio (without new construction): 45% by FY2031
Added Capacity from the UC’s new Block 1 & 2 housing development: 1,310 beds
Project Team
General Contractor: Turner Construction
Owner: University of Cincinnati
Project Leadership:
Pat Kowalski (Senior VP, Administration and Finance)
Carl Dieso (Assistant VP, Housing Services)
Strategic Importance
Largest housing development in UC history (bed capacity and cost)
Gateway project expanding campus southward
Addresses growing student housing demand
Supports UC’s transition from commuter school
Emphasizes affordability and community building
Provides university-controlled housing stock
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Design Philosophy: Block 1 & 2 housing development
Focus on affordability
Second-lowest price point in UC housing portfolio
Emphasis on community building
Integration of academic and social spaces
Priority on student experience
Block 1 & 2 housing development timeline milestones
Land Purchase: 2023
Construction Start: October 2024
Student Move-in: Fall 2027 semester
Additional Notes
Part of UC’s broader campus development initiative
Integrated with other campus improvement projects
Supports living-learning communities
Enhances student life and engagement opportunities
Contributes to UC’s enrollment growth strategy
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