University of Wyoming Reaches Milestone in Historic Housing Project, Set for Fall 2025 Opening

The University of Wyoming (UW) marked a significant milestone in its largest-ever construction project with the “topping out” ceremony of its new residence hall complex, Oil City News reports.

The project, which is on track to welcome students in the fall of 2025, includes two five-story residence halls that will feature modern amenities and create a dynamic campus community.

With a budget of $285.5 million, this state-of-the-art development is the first new residence hall project at UW in nearly six decades. The complex will include over 920 student beds, a two-story dining facility, and various community spaces. Located at the heart of the campus near the Wyoming Union and the Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center, the new housing reflects UW’s Collegiate Gothic sandstone style, along with landscaped green spaces for recreation and relaxation.

UW President Ed Seidel expressed the campus-wide enthusiasm for the new facilities.

“[The buildings will] create an amazing living and learning environment for our students,” President Seidel  said.

The North Hall and the dining facility are scheduled to open by fall 2025, with the South Hall expected to follow in spring 2026.

Designed with a range of room types—including doubles, singles, and semi-suites with private or shared bathrooms—the halls also feature community kitchens, study areas, and UW’s tutoring center. In total, the residence halls will span over 300,000 square feet, underscoring UW’s commitment to a well-rounded student experience. Will Peterson, project director at JE Dunn Construction, remarked that it is “a privilege to work with the University of Wyoming” on a project with such long-term impact.

Planning is underway to establish housing rates and to determine the distribution of students across the new and existing residence halls. Around 450 students are expected to reside in the North Hall beginning in the fall 2025 semester, with another group of students moving into the South Hall in spring 2026. Some students may still have the option to live in existing facilities like White Hall, while older high-rise residence halls will remain operational during the transition period.

The funding for this transformative project comprises $205.8 million in university bonds and $80 million in legislative appropriations. Construction began in November 2022 under the oversight of JE Dunn Construction, a company with extensive experience in large-scale projects, including the restoration of the Wyoming State Capitol. The architectural design is the work of alm2s, Plan One, and Mackey Mitchell Architects, combining local expertise and national experience.

The new residence halls are expected to significantly elevate student life at UW by creating a community-centered environment close to the heart of campus.

“These new facilities…will provide a wonderful environment for students to build a sense of community during their first year on campus and beyond, which we know is so important for their success,” President Seidel noted.