Balfour Beatty’s Campus Solutions (BBCS) and U.S. Buildings operations announced a partnership with the University of Florida (UF) to deliver a major student housing redevelopment project in Gainesville.

The project forms part of the UF Housing & Residence Life 10-year capital improvement program, which aims to transform the existing Trusler, Simpson and Graham Hall sites into contemporary residential communities that enhance the student experience while supporting the university's long-term campus expansion. BBCS has been appointed as the project developer, while Balfour Beatty's U.S. Buildings division will oversee the design-build delivery through a 65:35 joint venture with Stellar Group. The project team also includes Clark Nexsen and Walker Architects as the architectural partners, with Rieth Jones Advisors serving as the university's advisor.

The multi-phase development will deliver 2,217 beds across four residential buildings, totaling more than 680,000 square feet. The student housing communities will also include a range of amenities and support spaces intended to foster student engagement, accessibility and academic success, including:

• Café and Amazon Market
• Disability Resource Center serving university students
• Package Distribution Center for on-campus residents
• Multipurpose event space
• Study and collaboration spaces
• Social gathering areas
• Floor-level laundry rooms and shared kitchens

Additionally, the project features an approximately 18,000-square-foot Disability Resource Center, centralizing support services for more than 8,000 students. This facility reinforces UF’s longstanding investment and commitment to accessibility as well as enhancing its ability to support a growing and varied student population. 

Construction of the University of Florida's new student housing community is currently in progress. The first two residential buildings are slated for completion by Fall 2028, while the remaining two buildings are expected to be finished and ready for occupancy later in the Fall 2028 semester.