U.S. Student housing is evolving amid rising construction costs and shifting expectations. Despite economic pressures and supply constraints, demand for high-quality, experience-driven housing remains strong. Today’s students are looking for more than just a place to sleep; they seek environments that support collaboration, well-being, and connectivity. Developers are responding with innovative solutions that blend hospitality, sustainability, and local character into modern, mixed-use communities.
DLR Group is working with developer, owner, and operator Core Spaces and design firm Curioso to lead the way in transformative student housing with the Hub on Campus concept. This brand has redefined college living across the U.S. by integrating high-end amenities, hyper-local design, and community-driven programming. From Fullerton, California, to Bloomington, Indiana, these developments reflect a larger shift toward more immersive, lifestyle-oriented housing models.
Key Elements to Student Housing
Proximity and Scale. A defining trend in student housing is the rise of large-scale developments, with many housing more than 1,500 students. This shift maximizes efficiency, allowing for premium amenities while keeping rental costs competitive. Larger projects also offer better cost distribution and the ability to include high-value features focused on wellness, such as rooftop lounges, basketball courts, spas, and collaborative workspaces.
Creating Vibrant Communities Through Design. Modern student housing is no longer just about providing beds; it’s about cultivating vibrant communities. Developments are integrating mixed-use elements to create dynamic environments where students can live, study, and engage with their surroundings.
Hub Bloomington is a case in point, drawing from Indiana’s natural heritage by incorporating local limestone and other elements. At the street level, purpose-built retail spaces such as bike shops and cafes encourage interaction between students and the broader community.
Optimizing Space for Collaboration and Focus. Gone are the days of oversized lounge areas with little functionality. Today’s student housing prioritizes hospitality-driven design, focusing on smaller, well-utilized study nooks, communal tables, and collaborative spaces. Purposefully integrated study booths and co-working lounges are replacing traditional expansive common areas, ensuring that every square foot is designed for both focus and flexibility. These carefully redesigned environments cater to a range of student needs, from quiet individual study to group collaboration, offering a more efficient and engaging living experience.
Health and Wellness Go Beyond the Gym.
Wellness-focused spaces are becoming a staple in student housing. Beyond fitness centers, new developments provide yoga studios, meditation zones, saunas, cold plunges, and even indoor basketball and pickleball courts, to name a few. Mental health is also a growing priority, with statistics indicating that students increasingly value amenities that encourage relaxation and social engagement.
Sustainability and Smart Living on Demand. Smart building systems and eco-conscious design are key considerations in modern student housing. As a standard, many developments integrate app-driven services that allow residents to reserve study rooms, pay rent, and control utilities remotely.
Developments may include an on-site bike shop, offering repair stations and storage while encouraging eco-friendly transportation. The bike-friendly infrastructure—plus electric micro-mobility options and transit accessibility—ensure students have seamless, low-impact ways to navigate their community in alignment with broader urban sustainability goals.
Storytelling through Design. A key differentiation in today’s student housing is contextual design—developments that draw from regional heritage to create unique identities. Whether it’s the laid-back, outdoor-driven Southern California lifestyle in Fullerton, or Bloomington’s rich history in collegiate athletics, designing with the cultural fabric of each city in mind creates a sense of identity that goes beyond the building itself.
Activating Neighborhoods, Enriching Student Life. Mixed-use student housing developments are not only transforming how students live but also revitalizing urban neighborhoods. Walkability, ground-floor retail, and public gathering spaces are becoming common features, creating dynamic, connected communities.
In Hub Fullerton, for example, a public paseo serves as both an outdoor lounge for students and a social hub for residents, reinforcing the role of student housing as an anchor for community engagement.
Outlook for 2025
Despite economic pressures, student housing remains one of the strongest-performing real estate sectors, with demand continuing to outpace supply. Pre-leasing rates for 2025 remain high, but new construction is expected to decline, with 32,100 new beds projected—down from previous years. As developers and universities navigate this shifting landscape, several key trends will shape the future of student living.
Scaling Up: How Large Can Student Housing Get?
Developers continue to push the boundaries with ultra-large student housing projects—some surpassing 2,000 beds. These mega-projects provide premium amenities at competitive rents by spreading costs across a higher number of residents. However, maintaining a sense of community within large-scale environments remains a challenge. Future projects must balance high density with intentional design, incorporating small-group study spaces, social lounges, and co-living options to prevent students from feeling lost in the crowd.
Flexibility and Well-being as Core Design Principles
Student housing is no longer just about offering a fitness center or shared lounge—it’s about creating holistic environments that support physical, mental, and academic well-being. The next generation of developments will feature adaptive layouts that accommodate hybrid learning, social engagement, and privacy needs. In response to the growing emphasis on mental health in higher education, standard wellness-focused amenities typically include meditation rooms, therapy lounges, and soundproof study pods.
Tech-Driven Smart Living
Smart technology is transforming student housing into a seamless, responsive experience. App-based services—such as digital rent payments, keyless entry, and automated maintenance requests—are already common. The next evolution will introduce AI-powered building systems that optimize energy efficiency, personalize living environments, and enhance security. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha demand frictionless digital experiences, developments that integrate smart tech into daily living will lead the market.
Sustainable, High-Performance Design
Students now expect more eco-conscious living environments, driving demand for high-performance, sustainable design. As universities and developers seek lower-carbon alternatives, mass timber is emerging as a leading solution. Its scalability and long-term benefits both reduce embodied carbon while accelerating construction timelines for much-needed projects.
Future projects will focus on materials that balance environmental impact with durability, integrating mass timber, passive cooling, and renewable energy systems. Additionally, transit-accessible locations, smart building systems, and energy efficiency strategies will continue to shape the evolution of mass student housing.
What’s Next?
The rise of large-scale, experience-driven housing is reshaping campuses and cities alike, with a focus on wellness, sustainability, and technology-driven convenience. Developers and universities are rethinking traditional dorm models, embracing more integrated infrastructure that seamlessly connects with the local community while also supporting all aspects of academic success.
Looking ahead, AI-powered smart buildings will be a major catalyst in the continued innovation of urban-integrated student housing. The most successful projects will be those that prioritize adaptability, wellness, community, and sustainability. They will redefine the college experience for generations to come.
