Gilbane breaks ground on new on-campus student housing at University of Rhode Island
KINGSTON, R.I. [January 29, 2026] —Gilbane and the University of Rhode Island broke ground today on three future residence halls that will deliver more than 1,100 beds to the University’s Kingston campus. State and local elected officials joined URI and Gilbane to celebrate the University’s growing population with a groundbreaking ceremony for the first residence hall, which is scheduled to open by the fall of 2027.
Project Overview: New Student Housing at URI
Through an innovative public-private partnership, Gilbane will develop and build two new residence halls with apartment-style suites on Flagg Road, located on the northwest side of campus, and reconstruct the Graduate Village Apartments complex for graduate students on Route 138.
“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 James Patchett, President and CEO of Gilbane Development. “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.”
Public-Private Partnership Accelerates Delivery
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.”
“As the design-builder, we’re really looking forward to bringing this concept to life in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island and CannonDesign,” said Michael Busam, Rhode Island Business Leader, Gilbane Building. “We’re excited to welcome students to their beautiful new residential space starting in August 2027.”
Flagg Road Residence Halls: Apartment-Style Student Living
The Flagg Road residence halls will add 914 new beds encompassing two- and four-bedroom apartment units, with amenities including 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 residence hall north of Flagg Road will cover approximately 173,739 square feet with 134 units, while the residence hall south will consist of 105 units spanning 135,177 square feet.
Graduate Village Apartments Redevelopment
The new Graduate Village complex will feature 152 units across 84,813 square feet with a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; a revived community garden, and an enhanced community center with potential for additional lounge space or fitness classes to promote students’ general well-being through socialization.
Supporting URI’s Growth and Focus URI Strategic Plan
Set for completion in the fall of 2028, the three new projects will represent an increase in the number of on-campus beds by more than 2,000 since 2012. With a record number of applications for admission submitted for the fall 2025 semester, and with increasing interest in on-campus housing opportunities, the construction project aligns with the University’s commitment to provide high-quality, accessible housing for students and supports its strategic plan, Focus URI.
About University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is a global education leader and the state of Rhode Island’s flagship public research institution. URI offers its undergraduate, graduate, and professional students distinctive educational opportunities designed to meet the global challenges of today’s world and the rapidly evolving needs of tomorrow. Founded in 1892, URI now enrolls more than 17,000 students and has earned the prestigious Carnegie R1 designation for high research activity. As a land- and sea-grant institution, URI is a key driver of economic development in Rhode Island and contributes significantly to the health and vitality of the state and New England region. Discover more at uri.edu.
About Gilbane
Gilbane is one of the oldest and largest family-owned real estate development and construction firms in the world. Gilbane Development is the real estate development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, with accompanying asset and property management services through its affiliated entities. Gilbane Building is a full-service construction services firm providing preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services on some of the nation’s most complex projects. Gilbane’s Public Private Partnership Group has delivered or has underway more than $4.8 billion in P3 projects for healthcare, higher education, K-12 schools, and federal/state/municipal clients. To learn more, visit gilbaneco.com.
Media Contacts:
Stephanie Handfield
Gilbane Development
401-456-5456
shandfield@gilbaneco.com
Robert Montano
Rubenstein Communications
508-717-2612
rmontano@rubenstein.com
Dawn Bergantino
University of Rhode Island
401- 874-4147
dawn_bergantino@uri.edu