California State University, Long Beach recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 108,000-square-foot student housing project, called the La Playa Residence Hall. The $115 million project is part of the state’s High Education Student Housing Grant Program, which is working to increase below-rate rental options for on-campus students. The grant awarded $53.3 million to fund the project, and the remaining costs will come from the university’s campus housing funds.

Once complete, the La Playa Residence Hall will hold 424 beds spread across three five-story buildings. 404 of those beds will be reserved for affordable housing. Each building will include a mix of single- and double-occupancy student rooms, with lounges, study areas and maintenance facilities located on every floor. Additionally, the residence hall will feature music practices rooms, apartments for staff or faculty, multipurpose rooms and two dedicated offices that will expand the university’s counseling and psychological services program to provide support for students in need.

Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026 and the residence hall will be open to students starting in the fall semester of that year. The housing project is being designed by Chicago-based architecture and design firm Perkins & Will. 

CSU Long Beach president Jane Close Conoley said in a statement that creating additional, affordable on-campus housing is a high priority for the university, especially because of its “aging” housing facilities and long student-housing waitlists. The school had 34,033 undergraduate students enrolled in fall of last year, 72% of whom receive some form of financial aid.

“Not only will these beds be more affordable, but it contributes mightily to our students’ success,” Corry Colonna, CSU Long Beach’s executive director of housing and residential life, said in a statement. “Studies show students who stay on campus tend to have better grades, earn credits more quickly and have an improved overall campus experience.”

La Playa Residence Hall will be located at the southwestern end of the university. The residence hall’s three buildings will be connected by bridges and will be surrounded by outdoor amenities such as a lawn and patios.

“By increasing bed capacity and transforming the student experience, an intentionally informed framework, the university will absolutely differentiate itself when it comes to recruitment and retention,” said David Damon, principal and higher education practice leader at Perkins & Will.