Date Posted: 05.15.2026
Over 600 individuals from the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) community, design and construction teams gathered to celebrate the topping out of San Benito Student Housing. When it opens in fall 2027, San Benito will provide housing and amenities for approximately 2,200 students across six residential buildings plus a welcome hub. It is the first phase of an ambitious effort to increase student capacity by 3,500 beds on campus by 2029.
“Our team is energized and excited by the progress of the San Benito development project. By adding 2,224 new beds in 2027 with San Benito, UC Santa Barbara is working to meet our student housing targets. Our team has been working diligently to present these projects to the UC Regents on time and on budget,” said Willie Brown, UCSB’s associate vice chancellor for Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises, to the Current.
San Benito will be the first new student housing project delivered at UCSB in a decade. The 721,000-square-foot development introduces apartment-style residences and an inclusive new hub for student life at the northwest corner of campus, all connected to the surrounding natural landscape. Each building is angled and staggered to capture natural light, ocean breezes, and northward views of the Goleta Slough and coastal range.
“Many students struggle with housing costs, and this project responds with critical affordable and accessible options on campus,” said Mithun partner and project manager Damian Possidente. “This is a significant new student life hub for UCSB, and it highlights the university’s commitment to student wellness and affordability on campus. We’re thrilled to contribute to the expansion of residential capacity and student life on campus.”
UCSB leadership, Mithun, SOM and Webcor gathered to sign the topping out beam and celebrate project progress. Photo credit: Agueda Zarate, Webcor
Phase two of UCSB’s Long Range Development Plan will provide 1,688 additional beds within four buildings. Construction of the East Campus Student Housing project will begin in summer 2026.
Both projects are designed by Mithun in collaboration with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Additional project team members include KPFF (civil), SOM (structural and environmental graphics), Glumac (MEP), Tom Leader Studio (landscape), Woden (code), Fehr & Peers (traffic), Sage Green (LEED), HLB (lighting design). Webcor Builders is the Construction Manager-At-Risk (CMAR) and general contractor for San Benito, and PCL Construction is the CMAR and general contractor for the East Campus project.
Learn more about the San Benito Student Housing design.
