University of Rhode Island and Gilbane break ground on new Kingston campus student housing - 1,100 beds

Kingston, RI Heather Le understands fully how on-campus housing at the University of Rhode Island plays a major role in the students’ social and academic development at the University.

Le — a senior marketing major at URI — told state and University leaders attending the Jan. 28 groundbreaking ceremony for the University’s new, on-campus student housing project how many students stepped outside their respective comfort zones and grew into tremendous leaders, mentors and advocates for their peers, all thanks to residing on the Kingston campus.

“Living on campus and becoming fully immersed in the URI community gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons,” Le said. “I developed incredible friendships and networked with peers. These relationships became the building blocks for my future.”

Now, shovels are officially in the ground allowing URI to further expand housing opportunities for both current and future students. Through an innovative public-private partnership with Gilbane, the Providence-based real estate and construction company will develop and build two new residence halls with apartment-style suites on Flagg Rd., located on the northwest side of campus, and reconstruct the Graduate Village Apartments complex for graduate students on Rte. 138.

More than 150 guests, including state and local elected leaders; URI Trustees, faculty, staff, and students; Gilbane leadership, and project team members attended the Jan. 28 groundbreaking of the first residence hall — scheduled to open by the fall of 2027. Once completed, the three new residence facilities will add more than 1,100 beds to the campus by the fall of 2028.

The Flagg Rd. residence halls, which will add 914 new beds, will feature two- and four-bedroom apartment units, and amenities will include expanded study spaces and common areas, community wellness rooms, a grab-and-go cafe, and an outdoor courtyard space with walking and bike paths.

The new Graduate Village complex, which will increase occupancy for graduate students to 200 once completed, will feature a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment units; a revived community garden; and an enhanced community center with the potential for additional lounge space or fitness classes to promote students’ general well-being.

• The residence hall north of Flagg Rd. will cover 173,739 s/f with a total of 134 units.

• The residence hall south of Flagg Rd. will be 135,177 s/f with 105 total units.

• Graduate Village will feature a total of 152 units covering 84,813 s/f.

The three new projects, once completed, will represent an increase in the number of on-campus beds by more than 2,000 since 2012.

Provident Resources Group, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity, is the borrower and conduit financier. Raymond James served as the underwriter for the tax-exempt bond financing.

URI president Marc Parlange said campus and residential life is important to student success academically, socially, and emotionally.

“Our living and learning spaces are critical to our students’ success, both inside the classroom and out. The campus is where our students follow their passions and make friendships that will last a lifetime,” Parlange said. “It is where the next generation of Rhode Islanders will study, work, and grow into future leaders and neighbors. I am so excited that these new buildings will serve as gathering spaces and a safe home-away-from-home for generations of students to come.”

Parlange also thanked elected officials and Board of Trustees members for their support as well as Gilbane Development president and CEO James Patchett for Gilbane’s partnership, which has revolutionized how URI will build, design and open these new residence halls.

“Today’s groundbreaking advances URI’s plan to modernize on-campus housing and deliver more than 1,100 new beds that strengthen the student experience,” said Patchett. “Gilbane’s roots in Rhode Island run deep, and it’s a point of pride to help shape a bold new future for the University of Rhode Island.”

In speaking to the uniqueness of the partnership, he added, “Through this public-private partnership, our team will plan, finance, design, build, and help operate the new residence halls — bringing an integrated, end-to-end P3 delivery model that accelerates schedules and supports long-term accountability. We look forward to welcoming students in August 2027.”

The groundbreaking coincides with the comprehensive renovation of URI’s Fine Arts Center as well as transformative investments in the University’s Narragansett Bay campus, including the construction of a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory, and builds on growing momentum. URI was recently named the No. 1 public university in New England by The Wall Street Journal for the second year in a row in addition to its recent designation as an R1 institution in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Ellen Reynolds, URI’s vice president for student affairs, said that with a record number of applications last fall and more students wanting to reside on campus, the University turning this project into a reality was critical. These new residence halls, Reynolds said, will meet the students’ needs and continue to advance URI’s strategic goal of providing high-quality, accessible housing.

“With expanded study spaces, common areas, and community wellness rooms, our modernized on-campus housing will allow students to thrive in settings that are conducive to their success,” Reynolds said. “This is a major step forward for URI and the beginning of a new era in on-campus living.”

Joe Matthews, a member of URI’s Board of Trustees, said, “Today’s groundbreaking represents more than a construction project — it reflects our commitment to student success, campus vitality, and the future of URI. This new on-campus housing will enhance the student experience by providing modern living spaces that support learning and belonging. Most importantly, this project is about our students — today’s and tomorrow’s — and ensuring they have a place to live, learn, and thrive.”

Like Le, Justin Watkins feels new students who come to the University spend a great deal of time finding their way and adjusting to their new life on campus. But Watkins — a URI graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering — said the common denominator among students is wanting affordable, modern on-campus housing that provides peace of mind and stability while pursuing an education.

“On-campus housing provides proximity not just to classrooms and offices, but to mentorship, collaboration, and shared purpose. For students like me, and many others, it opens doors that once seemed closed,” Watkins said. “I am deeply grateful that URI is moving this project forward and extending this opportunity to so many others. This investment will shape student lives for decades to come.”