Gilbane and the University of Rhode Island have broken ground on three residence halls that will contain more than 1,100 beds at the university’s Kingston, Rhode Island, campus, according to a Jan. 29 news release from the builder. The total bond issuance for the project is $210.8 million, the contractor told Construction Dive via email.
Providence, Rhode Island-based Gilbane will develop and build two of the structures — two new residence halls with apartment-style suites — on Flagg Road in the northwest area of campus, per the release. These apartment buildings will add 914 new beds, including two- and four-bedroom units.
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The north residence hall will span 173,739 square feet with 134 units, while the residence hall south will measure 135,177 square feet and contain 105 units. Amenities 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, per Gilbane.
The firm will also reconstruct the Graduate Village Apartments complex for graduate students on Route 138, featuring 152 units across 84,813 square feet, per the release. The apartments will be a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units and include a revived community garden and an enhanced community center.
The three new projects will increase the number of on-campus beds by more than 2,000 since 2012, according to the news release. The project aligns with URI’s 10-year strategic plan following a record-setting number of applications for the Fall 2025 semester at the school.
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Gilbane will build the structures as part of an end-to-end public-private partnership, according to the news release. Gilbane touted its work with P3 jobs in 2025 in a blog post, where it added more than $2.3 billion in P3 projects in higher education, health sciences and social infrastructure, according to the company.
For higher ed and public owners, Gilbane said that P3 projects preserve balance sheets, deliver projects more cheaply and faster and align incentives over the long term by pairing design and construction with maintenance, per the company’s post.
The first residence hall is scheduled to open in Fall 2027, with full completion of all buildings scheduled for Fall 2028.
The Kingston campus has faced growing pressure to expand housing as enrollment demand continues to rise. University officials have pointed to limited on-campus capacity as a challenge for recruitment and student retention, particularly for upperclassmen and graduate students who increasingly prefer apartment-style living.
The P3 model allows URI to modernize its residential portfolio without placing the full financial burden on the university’s balance sheet. Gilbane’s dual role as developer and builder is intended to streamline design decisions, accelerate procurement and reduce lifecycle costs through long-term maintenance planning.
Local leaders have also highlighted the economic impact of the construction phase, which is expected to support hundreds of regional trade jobs over the next two years. The inclusion of wellness rooms, outdoor spaces and community amenities reflects broader trends in student housing that prioritize mental health and collaborative learning environments.
Once completed, the developments will represent one of the largest housing investments in URI’s history and a significant upgrade to the northwest corridor of campus.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault, Reporter in Construction Dive.
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