The University of Rhode Island (URI) and Gilbane said on Nov. 6, 2025, that they had reached the financial close of a major new public-private partnership that represents the first step in the school's comprehensive plan to modernize on-campus housing at its Kingston, R.I., campus.
Headquartered in Providence, Gilbane is a global real estate development and building company. With the agreement, it is now preparing to begin construction on three new university residence halls, totaling 1,100 beds, later this month. The first could open as early as fall 2027.
Gilbane will 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 along Rhode Island Highway 138/Kingstown Road on the school's south end.
"We're seeing more and more students who want to live on campus, close to their classes, friends and everything that makes our URI community so special," said URI President Marc Parlange in a university news release. "Expanding our on-campus housing will give students even more access to the resources and amenities that support their success. This project is an important step forward for our university and advances our strategic priorities to enhance student achievement and strengthen our inclusive, supportive campus culture.
"We deeply appreciate the leadership and partnership of Gov. [Dan] McKee … and all our elected leaders in advancing the public-private collaboration that is making this project a reality," he said.
The new Flagg Road residence halls will add 914 new beds, while the Graduate Village complex will increase occupancy for graduate students to 200 by fall 2028. The residence hall north of Flagg Road is expected to open in August 2027, followed by the dormitory building south of Flagg Road, near Brookside Residence Hall, exactly one year later.
Each of them will feature two- and four-bedroom apartment units, with amenities that will include expanded study spaces and common areas, community wellness rooms, a grab-and-go cafe and an outdoor courtyard space with walking and bike paths.
Prior to its expansion, the current Graduate Village complex is slated to close in May 2026 for the construction before reopening for the fall semester in 2028.
Its designs call for a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment units; a revived community garden; and an enhanced community center with the potential for additional lounge space or fitness classes to promote students' general well-being through socialization.
Other key facts and figures include:
• The residence hall north of Flagg Road will cover approximately 173,739 sq. ft. with a total of 134 units.
• The slightly smaller dormitory on the south side of Flagg Road is planned to encompass 135,177 sq. ft. with 105 total units.
• Graduate Village will feature a total of 152 units covering 84,813 sq. ft.
Once completed, the three new projects will boost the number of on-campus beds at URI by more than 2,000, the largest increase since 2012.
With a record number of applications for admission submitted for the fall 2025 semester as well as increasing interest in on-campus housing opportunities, URI's construction projects align with the school's commitment to provide high-quality, accessible housing for students and supports Focus URI, its long-term strategic plan.
"This project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can help us meet the growing demand for on-campus living," said Abby Benson, URI's vice president of administration and finance. "By collaborating with experienced partners, we're able to move forward efficiently and deliver high-quality residence halls that complement our campus and serve our students well. This approach allows us to expand housing options without diverting resources from other academic priorities, helping us create a vibrant, inclusive environment where students can thrive."
New Residence Halls Another Sign of URI's Growth
In addition, URI's new housing initiative coincides with the comprehensive renovation of the university's fine arts center and transformative investments in the Narragansett Bay campus, including the construction of a new Ocean Robotics laboratory.
Thomas Cooley, URI's associate vice president for student affairs and campus living, noted that the school is building more than new facilities.
"The Office of Housing and Residential Life is strengthening the student experience and improving campus living," he said. "Each of these projects adds to the momentum on campus and reflects how URI continues to invest in its community."
"Founded and proudly based in Rhode Island, Gilbane is honored to partner with the University of Rhode Island to help advance the university's growth objectives," said Russell Broderick, Gilbane Development's executive vice president. "Together, we're delivering a full spectrum of modern, on-campus student housing that serves as a model for how public-private partnerships can elevate the student experience and support long-term institutional success."
Provident Resources Group Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity, will serve as conduit borrower and finance the URI project under a tax-exempt structure, while Raymond James will serve as the underwriter for the tax-exempt bond financing.
The University of Rhode Island is a global education leader and the state'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. As a land- and sea-grant institution, the university 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.
URI also was recently named the No. 1 public university in New England by the Wall Street Journal for the second year in a row and was designated as an R1 institution for high research activity in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
