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At a glance:
- PSU proposes six-story, 124,000-square-foot residence hall
- Project includes 550 beds, mostly in double-occupancy units
- Lounges, study nooks, kitchens, music practice room planned
- GBD Architects is designer, Fortis Construction is contractor
Portland State University is moving forward with plans to build a six-story, 124,000-square-foot dorm building for first-year students.
PSU on Tuesday requested an early assistance meeting with Portland Permitting & Development for the proposed project at 1831 S.W. Park Ave.
“This is an opportunity to build our first purpose-built, first-year residence hall,” said Ashley Wendler, PSU’s executive director of University Housing and Residence Life.
The project, first announced in January, would include approximately 550 beds, mostly in double-occupancy units. Some single-occupancy and triple-occupancy units would also be part of the mix.
GBD Architects is designing the building. Fortis Construction is on board as general contractor; subcontractors have not yet been hired.
Amenities would include private restrooms in each unit, multiple community lounges per floor, study nooks, classrooms, community and allergen-free kitchens, a music practice room and offices. A large porch area would front the South Park Blocks.
The location is “one of the more premier lots on campus, I would argue,” Wendler said.
Delivery of the building would free up space in others for transfer students, graduate students and continuing students, according to PSU officials. Freshmen currently reside in the Broadway and Ondine residence halls.
The development is in part intended to compete with other institutions’ buildings that offer modern amenities, Wendler said. PSU is projecting flat enrollment for the next several years.
“Our enrollment is steady,” PSU spokeswoman Christina Williams said. “What we’re doing is replacing some buildings that are at the end of their useful life as far as being modern, accessible and seismically sound.”
Prices will be on par with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines for affordable housing, PSU officials said.
“Portland’s an expensive city to live in,” Williams said. “Any housing that we can offer that’s affordable for students is better for student outcomes.”
Unlike in many market-rate buildings, on-campus renters do not have to post large security deposits or first and last months’ rent, Wendler said. No proof of income is required, and the application fee is a modest $50.
“We are low-barrier housing,” she said.
Work is expected to begin in late 2026 with deconstruction of the Blackstone and Montgomery buildings. Construction of the new building is slated to begin in winter 2027 and expected to finish in time to accommodate students in fall 2028.
