University Housing

SFSU celebrates completion of residence hall, health center and dining commons

Matt Itelson — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:03:34 +0000

SFSU celebrates completion of residence hall, health center and dining commons

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

April 25, 2025

Photo Credit: Juan Montes

These expertly developed buildings create more spaces on campus that foster community, enhance student living and wellness

SAN FRANCISCO – April 25, 2025 – Earlier today, San Francisco State University (SFSU) held a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of its latest construction project: two state-of-the-art buildings designed to enhance student living and health and wellness on campus.

The new buildings, designed by EHDD and constructed by McCarthy Building Companies, were intentionally built next to each other on the west side of campus, an area with a high concentration of buildings and facilities that support residential living and well-being.

One of the newly constructed spaces, West Grove Commons, is a first-time freshman residence hall that provides more than 700 beds. The other is a mixed-use building that includes the Gator Student Health Center, where students can receive a wide array of health services, and the Yerba Buena Dining Hall, which provides diverse meal options to meet dietary needs.

“This is historic both in that it addresses the need for housing, and it addresses a critical need to enroll and graduate students,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said at the celebration. “It addresses the state’s need to have a highly educated workforce.”

The design and construction process intentionally considered the space so West Grove Common residents have convenient access to key amenities. Residents can easily visit the Yerba Buena Dining Hall for a nutritious meal, pick up prescriptions at the health center and attend a workout class across the street at the Mashouf Wellness Center — all within a short, walkable distance.

“Using a collaborative progressive design-build approach allowed the project to be completed in record speed. We were awarded the project in August 2022 and within eight months of design and preconstruction, construction commenced to ensure the residence hall would be completed in 16 months to welcome first-time freshman in August 2024. The Gator Student Health Center and Yerba Buena Dining Hall was completed shortly after in April 2025. The timeline underscores a commitment to delivering results efficiently,” said Jack Carter, vice president at McCarthy Building Companies. “By aligning our efforts with SFSU’s vision, we delivered student spaces that are both functional and sustainable — promoting wellness, community and connection — all delivered on an expedited schedule and within budget.”

“Our whole team takes great pride in contributing to a project with the potential to so positively impact the San Francisco State community,” said Lynne Riesselman, principal at EHDD Architecture. “Meeting the accelerated schedule required deep collaboration from the broader group of design consultants and trade partners. I’m happy to say that through the process, we kept focus on strengthening the campus fabric, fostering community and prioritizing student success.”

West Grove Commons first-time freshman residence hall

The first-time freshman residence hall is a 120,000 square-foot, six-story, all-electric building that provides over 700 beds and was developed using a cluster concept, a design strategy intended to help students form tight-knit communities. This approach fosters natural communities by grouping triple rooms with a dedicated lounge, all gender bathroom facilities and a resident advisor. As students adjust to their first home away from home, this gives them space to socialize, sleep, study and dine within the comfort of an intimate community grouping.

This residence hall addresses the critical need for affordable student housing and was brought to market with remarkable speed and efficiency. As the first project completed under the California Affordable Student Housing grant, SFSU received $116 million to create an affordable housing program and build West Grove Commons.

The affordable student housing program offers students an approximate 25% reduction in room fees, compared to SFSU’s standard rates. Eligible students for this program can apply the reduced rate to any SFSU housing options for the academic year, including West Grove Commons.

Key design elements include:

Community Focus: The housing is designed to form natural communities of 30-35 students, each sharing common spaces to promote interaction and a sense of belonging.
Student Choice: A variety of lounge and amenity spaces cater to different student needs, from intimate pockets to large indoor and outdoor social spaces at the ground floor. By offering variety in furnishing and spatial quality, students may find variety within their own building.
Inclusive Space: The planning of the ground floor is designed to benefit the broader campus by welcoming a blended community of residents and commuter students.
Biophilic Design: Emphasizing natural light, fresh air and views of the landscape to improve student well-being.
Sustainable Features: The project includes all-electric buildings and a focus on healthy material selection and is tracking to achieve LEED Gold Certification.

Photos by Juan Montes

Gator Student Health Center and Yerba Buena Dining Hall

The new Gator Student Health Center enhances student wellness by consolidating medical services, mental health counseling and health education and promotion programs into a single, accessible location. Previously, units under the University’s Gator Health and Student Well-Being arm were spread across campus. With the new health center, the units are now under one roof, creating a one-stop location offering comprehensive and holistic health services to students.

The Gator Student Health Center also features a full-service pharmacy and a Health & Wellness Hub where students can study, socialize and pick up wellness items and health materials and information. The center also has rooms for health education workshops and events. In addition to centralizing services for students, the new health center is designed to increase student engagement and build community.

The Yerba Buena Dining Hall is a modern, light-filled space that offers a variety of nutritious, inclusive meals that cater to diverse dietary needs. With its open layout, flexible seating and focus on sustainability, the dining commons serves as a hub where students can gather, refuel and connect throughout the day.

Visit the SFSU website to learn more about the overall project.

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About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. About 19,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 300,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,800 world-class faculty members — SFSU proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About McCarthy

McCarthy is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that spans all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 19th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2023). With approximately 7,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas, and Houston; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About EHDD

Founded in 1946, EHDD is a West Coast architecture firm with offices in San Francisco and Seattle. The firm is credited with pioneering the net zero energy building concept more than 20 years ago. Today, they are leading the way through built projects and applied research to collaboratively decarbonize our built environment. With a mission to create transformative places of belonging and impact, EHDD works with a range of clients with a focus on higher education, arts and education non-profits, visitor-serving institutions including aquariums and parks, and leading-edge corporations dedicated to leadership in sustainability and social impact. Learn more at www.ehdd.com and follow EHDD on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Apply for SFSU on-campus housing

Matt Itelson — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:59:00 +0000

Apply for SFSU on-campus housing

Author: Matt Itelson

March 3, 2025

Photo Credit: Juan Montes

Housing for 2025 – 2026 is guaranteed for all students who complete an application by April 6

Imagine walking from bed to class in your pajamas. A near-zero commute is just one of the reasons that living on the San Francisco State University campus translates to academic success and a fast track to graduation. Application for student housing at SFSU for 2025 – 2026 opened March 3 at 9 a.m. 

All freshman applicants who have accepted their admission offer and submitted the housing application with their initial payment are guaranteed a bed in one of the University’s seven residential communities; new transfer students and continuing students must accept their admission offer and submit a housing application with their initial payment by Sunday, April 6, to receive a guarantee. All units are all-inclusive: fully furnished with Wi-Fi and utilities. They also offer exclusive student services, study spaces and shorter license terms than the standard 12-month duration on the rental market.

“I feel it’s very beneficial to live on campus as a student — especially if it’s one of your first years away from home,” student Keely said. “It’s just nice to have others who are going through the same experience as you and who are able to relate with you about being a student and going through the college life.”

SFSU research has found that students who live on campus are more likely to take additional units each semester. Their four-year graduation rate is 58% higher than students who live off campus. Additionally, first-year students who live on campus achieve a grade-point average 10% higher than those who live off campus.

Based on a new survey of SFSU students and families compiled by Know Research and Lexicon & Line, more than two-thirds of first-year and returning residents find that living on campus has improved their academics. More than three-fourths of parents state that living on campus has improved their students’ academics.

SFSU’s campus and residential community are equipped with security, including 24/7 availability for on-campus police and Residential Life staff, key access to all residential buildings, lighted pathways, emergency phones and a free accompanied safe-walking service.

“At San Francisco State University, you can have peace of mind knowing that your student is in a safe living and learning environment where they are poised to grow professionally and personally,” said Jeny V. Patiño, associate vice president for Housing, Dining and Conference Services. “With a scenic location just one mile from the beach and free public transit throughout the Bay Area for students, a world of opportunity awaits outside your door.”

A reduced-rate student housing program for first-time freshmen launched last year. The first program of its kind in the CSU system, it provides reduced rates for 725 students in any of the residential communities available to first-time freshmen who meet the qualifications to receive a Cal Grant A or B financial aid award. 

Photo Credit: Juan Montes

SFSU’s residential communities:

West Grove Commons opened in fall 2024. The 751-bed, six-story building for freshmen covers 120,000 square feet. Each floor is designed “pod-style,” including a shared all-gender bathroom and study and lounge spaces. 
The Towers at Centennial Square is a 16-story high-rise with one- and two-bedroom suites for freshmen and sophomores. Rooms are double or triple occupancy with a private bathroom, kitchenette and a living and dining area. 
Towers Junior Suites is a five-story building with partial suites, all for freshmen. Rooms are double occupancy and include a private bathroom.
The Village at Centennial Square, which opened in 2001, features two- and three-bedroom apartments for junior/senior transfer students and international students. Rooms are single or double occupancy with a private bathroom, full kitchen and a living and dining area. 
Manzanita Square, built in 2020, is a mixed community for sophomores, juniors, seniors and transfer students interested in living year-round. This community offers apartment-style living: private bathrooms, full kitchen, and a living and dining area, with single and double occupancy available. The eight-story building also features lounge and study spaces, a gym and a community courtyard. 
University Park North was built in the 1950s as the Stonestown Apartments before being purchased by SF State in 2005. It is a mixed community for junior and senior continuing students and graduate students. It has apartments of one, two and three bedrooms. Rooms are single or double occupancy with private bathroom(s), a full kitchen and a living and dining area. 
University Park South, enmeshed with the Parkmerced apartment community next door to campus, is for junior and senior continuing students. It has apartments of one, two and three bedrooms. Rooms are single or double occupancy with private bathroom, a full kitchen and a living and dining area.

Students will move into their new campus residences at SFSU in mid-August. Apply early for on-campus housing, as spaces are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Learn about on-campus housing and apply online.

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SF State welcomes students to campus residence halls

Matt Itelson — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 21:07:00 +0000

SF State welcomes students to campus residence halls

Author: Matt Itelson

August 21, 2024

Photo Credit: SF State President Lynn Mahoney (right) speaks with a family in front of the newly built West Grove Commons residence hall. Photo by Kevin Perez.

New six-story West Grove Commons adds 751 beds to University Housing

Warm weather is far from the only thing that students brought to San Francisco State University on Aug. 21 when moving into campus residence halls. Under sunny skies at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, thousands of students pushed boxes on wheels full of their belongings, hauled from their hometowns into their new homes for the next nine months.

Clothing, sheets, hampers, toiletries and school supplies are a must of course. But so are stuffed animals, plants and posters of their favorite bands.

“I brought my footballs because I like to stay active. I have a fan because it helps me sleep, for the white noise,” said Patrick Mendoza, a Photojournalism major entering his fourth year in the residence halls at San Francisco State.

Estefania Solis, moving into the Village at Centennial Square, made sure to pack photographs of her friends because she plans to decorate her wall with them. She also brought her new Dumbo stuffed animal to keep in her bed.

“I wanted to move into a city — not super far, but not super close either,” said Solis, who is transferring to SF State from Folsom Lake College to study Accounting. “I’m excited to explore the city. I’ve never been on my own before. I look forward to meeting new people and finding new interests.”

This year marks the opening of the West Grove Commons, a 751-bed building rising six stories high. It introduces a “pod-style” living environment to SF State’s residential community. There are an average of 12 rooms per pod and four pods per floor. Each floor includes a shared all-gender bathroom, and study and lounge spaces. An adjacent new building for the Gator Health Center and dining commons will open in early 2025. The project is supported by $116 million from California’s Affordable Student Housing Grant Program.   

A new reduced-rate student housing program also launched this fall. The first program of its kind in the California State University system, it offers housing at approximately 25% less than the traditional rate to students who meet the qualifications to receive a Cal Grant A or B financial aid award.

SF State President Lynn Mahoney walked her way through the campus residential communities to greet families and University Housing staff. “The weather is always this nice,” she joked to a family from San Diego. This family was dropping off two of their triplets rooming together in the Towers at Centennial Square. “San Francisco was our only choice,” said Claire Gaines, a Kinesiology major. “In San Francisco, there are a lot of opportunities to grow your career.”

Her sister Gianna Gaines, a Child and Adolescent Development major, added: “There is so much to do. It’s different than back home. There’s so much good food. I love Chinatown.”

Learn more about on-campus housing and apply online.

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Apply for SF State on-campus housing beginning March 4

Matt Itelson — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:00:47 +0000

Apply for SF State on-campus housing beginning March 4

Author: Matt Itelson

February 29, 2024

Photo Credit: Deanne Fitzmaurice

New residence hall, reduced-rate housing program available to first-time freshmen

With a new residence hall scheduled to open in August, San Francisco State University will have an all-time high of 5,200 beds on campus this fall. The applications for on-campus housing for 2024 – 2025 opens on Monday, March 4.   

The value of living on the San Francisco State campus goes beyond the five-minute walk from bed to class, providing furnished rooms and shorter leases than the standard 12 month off-campus housing choices.

A new reduced-rate student housing program for first-time freshmen also launches this fall. The first program of its kind in the California State University system, it will provide reduced rates for 725 students in any of the four residential communities available to first-time freshmen who meet the qualifications to receive a Cal Grant A or B financial aid award. 

“Living on campus is the best deal for SF State students without a doubt,” said Jeny V. Patiño, associate vice president for Housing, Dining and Conference Services. “It is a one-of-a-kind social experience for each student, helping them to foster personal growth, academic success and ultimately a faster path to graduation.”

Based on SF State institutional research, students who live on campus are more likely to take additional units each semester and have a four-year graduation rate that is 58% higher than students who live off campus. Additionally, first-year students who live on campus achieve a grade-point average 10% higher than those who live off campus.

“Folks are motivated with school. Everybody’s main goal is to get through school,” said Josue Mendez, a Kinesiology major who has lived in two of the residential communities at SF State. “We give each other lots of help to succeed. I’ve never gotten an unwelcome feeling here.” 

Mendez, from Sacramento, says he met most of his friends through living on campus. When he isn’t playing basketball at the Mashouf Wellness Center (a free fitness club for students), he and his friends enjoy sharing music, food and trips on public transit to the Haight-Ashbury, downtown and other parts of San Francisco. 

“You get a lot of community,” Mendez said. “Just roam the halls and people have their doors open playing music. I’ve been introduced to music I never thought I’d like. It’s just magical.” 

New housing and more

The New Housing Community at West Campus Green is a 751-bed building rising six stories high and covering 120,000 square feet. Each floor averages 12 “pod-style” rooms, each housing three students. The pods also include a shared all-gender bathroom and study and lounge spaces. 

The new community is accompanied by another new building that will house the Gator Health Center and a residential dining commons opening in early 2025. The project is supported by $116 million from California’s Affordable Student Housing Grant Program.   

SF State’s residential communities

Altogether, SF State offers nine residential communities in three neighborhoods on campus.

Mary Ward Hall and Mary Park Hall, which both opened in 1960, are traditional residence halls for freshmen. Rooms are double occupancy with common bathrooms, a community kitchen and lounge spaces.   
The Towers at Centennial Square is a 16-story high-rise with one- and two-bedroom suites for freshmen and sophomores. Rooms are double or triple occupancy with a private bathroom, kitchenette and a living and dining area. 
Towers Junior Suites is a five-story building with partial suites. Rooms are double occupancy and include a private bathroom.
The Village at Centennial Square, which opened in 2001, features two- and three-bedroom apartments for transfer and international students. Rooms are single or double occupancy with a private bathroom, full kitchen and a living and dining area. 
Manzanita Square, built in 2020, is a mixed community for sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate and transfer students interested in living year-round. This community offers apartment-style living: private bathrooms, full kitchen, and a living and dining area, with single and double occupancy available. The eight-story building also features lounge and study spaces, a gym and a community courtyard. 
University Park North was built in the 1950s as the Stonestown Apartments before being purchased by SF State in 2005. It is a mixed community for sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. It has apartments of one, two and three bedrooms. Rooms are single or double occupancy with private bathroom(s), a full kitchen and a living and dining area. 
University Park South, enmeshed with the Parkmerced apartment community next door to campus, is for sophomores, juniors and seniors. It has apartments of one, two and three bedrooms. Rooms are single or double occupancy with private bathroom, a full kitchen and a living and dining area.

The Village at Centennial Square (foreground) and the Towers at Centennial Square

Students will move into their new campus residences at SF State in mid-August. Apply early for on-campus housing, as spaces are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.   

Learn about on-campus housing and apply online.

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SF State starts construction for first-year residence hall to provide more affordable student housing

Matt Itelson — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:00:00 +0000

SF State starts construction for first-year residence hall to provide more affordable student housing

Author: Strategic Marketing and Communications

April 12, 2023

Photo Credit: Courtesy of EHDD

The West Campus Green project will add 750 affordable beds by fall 2024

SAN FRANCISCO – April 12, 2023 – Today, San Francisco State University held a ceremony to celebrate the start of construction for the West Campus Green (WCG) project. The project includes a first-year residence hall that will add 750 affordable beds, a dining facility and a student health center. San Francisco State hired design-build team McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and EHDD to deliver the project.

“With this project, more students will have access to affordable housing, which is critical here in the Bay Area,” SF State Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Jamillah Moore said. “That’s because when students have safe, stable and affordable housing, they are more likely to enroll, excel and graduate.”

The WCG project includes two all-electric buildings adjacent to each other. The first is a 120,000 square-foot, six-story first-year residence hall slated for occupancy by fall 2024. The second is a three-story, 50,000 square-foot building, to open in winter 2024, that will include a dining common area and the Gator Health Center. Other project highlights:

The residence hall will support all aspects of universal design to ensure equity and access to all students. It will be developed using a “pod” concept approach, averaging 12 rooms each, with three students in each room. Each pod will have shared bathroom facilities and study lounges, which will provide students with space to socialize, sleep, study and dine within the scope of intimate community grouping.
The Gator Health Center will house different units on campus including Student Health Services; Counseling and Psychological Services; and Health Promotion and Wellness. Collectively, these units provide a wide range of services such as triaging and health assessments, examination and treatment rooms, mental health support and spaces for administrative and medical staff to provide care.
The dining facility will frame a courtyard, which will host more intimate pockets for socializing, relaxation and reconnection to nature.

WCG will cost a total of $179 million. It is supported by $116 million in funds from the State of California's Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program, which was established to increase affordable student housing across the state's three public higher education systems.

“During my visits to almost 30 universities across California, I have met with countless students who shared experiences with housing insecurity,” said California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, who attended the ceremony. “Thanks to projects like West Campus Green, more California students will be able to focus on their education and not worry about where they are going to sleep at night. I’m deeply proud of our state’s historic commitment to supporting the total cost of college attendance for students and ensuring every Californian has a shot at achieving the California dream.”

Designed by global design firm headquartered in San Francisco EHDD Architecture, the WCG project will be delivered under a progressive design-build model led by the national construction company McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.’s San Francisco office. Both companies play an integral part in shaping the Bay Area local economy and housing market.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with San Francisco State University to create a new center of gravity for their campus,” says Jack Carter, Vice President at McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. “The new project will be an integral anchor to the Western neighborhood and will act as a connection point for existing and future housing in the area.

“As we developed this project our biggest goal was to foster a vibrant community,” says Lynne Riesselman, project design lead and Principal at EHDD, “making sure incoming students have every chance to build connections and that in their first home away from home they find a place of belonging.”

Learn more about the WCG project by visiting the SF State website.

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About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. More than 25,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 287,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,900 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

The oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with nearly 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that span all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. For more information, visit www.mccarthy.com .

About EHDD

EHDD Architecture is a design firm committed to creating transformative places of belonging and impact. With a staff of 85 across two west coast offices, their expertise spans a wide range of project types and scales. Honored with more than 200 awards for design and environmental stewardship, EHDD has committed to Climate Positive Plans for 100% of its upcoming projects. The firm has delivered 39 LEED-certified buildings including 17 LEED Platinum projects, and has been awarded seven Center for the Built Environment Living Building Awards, seven AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten Green Building awards, and recently a Metropolis Planet Positive award for their in-house EPIC tool. Learn more about the firm at www.ehdd.com.

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