University of Arizona Unveils Unique New Honors Student Village

TUCSON, Ariz.—A creative series of chain reaction ribbon cuttings connected key areas of the multi-purpose Honors Village at the University of Arizona recently, to commemorate the new living-learning student community.

Located in the North District of one of the University of Arizona’s four residential districts, Honors Village is a six-story modern residential tower that provides suite and semi-suite units for more than 1,000 honors college students. The 341,292-square-foot complex, developed by American Campus Communities, provides on-site honors classrooms, collaboration spaces and offices for faculty and staff. Honors Village will also include a Recreation and Wellness Center incorporating a Campus Health Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) neighboring building, a 370-space parking structure, and off-site improvements to the surrounding streets, sidewalks, and landscaping.

“By partnering with American Campus Communities, the University of Arizona was able to apply creative solutions to develop a living-learning community that is an immersive honors college experience for our students,” said the University of Arizona President Dr. Robert C. Robbins. “ACC’s expertise and knowledge, combined with our commitment to academic success, are demonstrated through this collaboration that we hope will further contribute to students’ skills, academic journey, and personal achievements in tomorrow’s careers.”

Designed by STG Design, Honors Village is pursuing LEED® Certified Silver. This new residential community offers first-time and returning honors students a total of 1,056 on-campus beds in suites and in semi-suites.

“Honors Village provides the essential resources and community atmosphere to keep up with the demands and needs of talented Honors students at the University of Arizona while offering price points comparable to the market,” said Chief Executive Officer of American Campus Communities, Bill Bayless. “We look forward to continuing our long-term partnership efforts with the University of Arizona to offer quality purpose-built communities that fuel student academic and personal achievement.”

On-site amenities include indoor recreation rooms, an interior courtyard, student lounges, community kitchen and in-dorm dining at Arizona’s newest eatery ‘85 North. All amenities, including the dining facility’s first floor, are open to all students, faculty, and staff.

“This project has revitalized the northern edge of the University of Arizona campus and has helped pay for improvements to city infrastructure, creating a win for the university, the city, and the neighborhood,” said Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.

To be a resident at Honors Village, students must apply and be admitted to the Honors College by first completing the University of Arizona admissions application. The profile of this year’s 2019 UArizona’s honors students boast an average GPA of 3.89, an average SAT comp of 1409 and an average ACT comp of 31, all showing an increase over last year’s entering class.

“Living in Honors Village gives me the opportunity to belong to a strong and supportive community,” said Chris Brown, an Honors junior with a world-leading management information systems major. “Between my extra curricular activities, class time and work, the amazing amenities and learning spaces, Honors Village makes it easy to help me be my best self and to prioritize studying.”

This is the first public-private development partnership for the University of Arizona with American Campus Communities. The transaction for the Honors Village residential tower was structured under the American Campus Equity (ACE)® program, a public-private partnership that provides on-campus housing to universities without using school funds or tax-payer dollars. Universities are able to expand and modernize their student housing portfolios without using their financial resources while allowing ACC to offer affordable rents to residents by delivering high-quality student housing with lower development costs and operating expenses.