American Campus Communities Announces Closing of $191 Million Student Housing Development at University of California, Irvine

The 1,065-bed development will expand UC Irvine's East Campus, marking the latest phase in a 25-year partnership that will encompass approximately 8,700 beds upon completion

IRVINE, Calif. – November 5, 2026 – American Campus Communities (ACC), one of the nation’s largest student housing provider and a Blackstone portfolio company, today announced the closing of a $191 million third party student housing development at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine). The 1,065-bed project is scheduled to open in Fall 2028, marking the latest milestone in a university partnership spanning 25 years.

The development builds on ACC's longstanding relationship with UC Irvine, the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and Collegiate Housing Foundation (CHF), which serves as the project's owner, borrower and lessee. The collaboration reflects more than two decades of work to expand student housing options across the University of California system, including partnerships at UC Berkeley and UC Riverside. Upon completion, ACC's partnership with UC Irvine will encompass approximately 8,700 beds, reflecting a shared commitment to delivering high-quality student housing that supports academic success, student well-being and a strong sense of community.

"This project reflects the strength of our 25-year partnership with UC Irvine and our shared commitment to creating housing communities that support students throughout their college experience," said Michael Cipriano, Head of Development at American Campus Communities. "We're proud to continue working alongside the university to expand its residential offerings and deliver spaces that foster academic success, connection and belonging."

The new student housing community will expand UC Irvine's East Campus with 308 fully furnished apartments, offering floor plans ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments across approximately 387,000 square feet. Designed for undergraduate students, the two residential buildings will range from six to seven stories and integrate into the surrounding neighborhoods.

Residents will have access to dedicated study areas, indoor social lounges and furnished outdoor courtyards that support academic focus and social connection, along with bicycle storage and laundry facilities. The community will also connect students to an established network of East Campus amenities, including community centers, pools and outdoor gathering spaces. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the project reflects ACC and UC Irvine's continued commitment to sustainable campus development.

The development team includes KTGY as architect and Benchmark as general contractor.

“It is KTGY's distinct privilege to be a part of this long-standing legacy of collaboration between ACC and UCI,” said Darin Schoolmeester, principal, KTGY. “We are looking forward to seeing these new student-focused communities become a reality as they enhance the student experience on campus.”


 

About American Campus Communities

American Campus Communities is one of the nation’s largest developer, owner and manager of high-quality student housing communities. With extensive experience in design, finance, development, construction management and operational oversight, the company has facilitated more than 120 public-private partnership (P3) transactions at 65 colleges and universities across the country. Visit www.americancampus.com and follow the company on LinkedIn for the latest updates.

About University of California, Irvine

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.

About Collegiate Housing Foundation

Collegiate Housing Foundation is a non-profit tax exempt organization established in 1996 for the sole purpose of assisting colleges and universities in acquiring or developing student housing facilities. Founded in and still based in Fairhope, Alabama, the Foundation pioneered the financing of student housing facilities by a third party non-profit thereby giving it extensive experience and a national profile in the student housing space.