University of Arizona Breaks Ground on $247 Million Student Housing Project, The Catalina

The Catalina
The Catalina

TUCSON, ARIZONA (September 14, 2026) — The University of Arizona has broken ground on The Catalina, a $247 million student housing development that will provide accommodations for more than 1,300 students when it opens in fall 2028.

Developed and constructed by Mortenson, the nine-story residence hall will feature suite style living arrangements, student programming and support services, and a new dining hall. Gensler is serving as design architect and architect of record.

The Catalina is intended to support the university’s expectation that full-time, first-year students live on campus. Exceptions are available for students who live within 30 miles of campus or face qualifying circumstances or hardships.

“The connection between living on campus and graduating on time is undeniable,” University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella said. “Our students who live on campus for at least one year have a 50 percent higher four year graduation rate than those who never do.”

The project advanced from initial discussions to construction in just seven months. To accelerate the schedule, Mortenson purchased the project site three months early, allowing demolition and site preparation to begin before the July groundbreaking.

Mortenson also arranged tax exempt financing for the development in partnership with Collegiate Housing Foundation. The Catalina represents the foundation’s 73rd student housing project since it began operations in 1996.

An earlier concept proposed in 2025 called for a 19-story student housing complex. The final design reduces the building by 10 floors while increasing its capacity by approximately 100 beds. Rising construction costs were among the factors influencing the redesigned project.

The ownership group includes the University of Arizona and Collegiate Housing Foundation. The project team also includes Power Design as electrical and mechanical engineer, JFN as plumbing engineer and Suntec Concrete as structural engineer.