The University of California at Berkeley took the drastic step of erecting a wall of shipping containers to keep protestors out of a site of a planned student housing complex.
The $312 million project would provide badly needed housing at the site of People’s Park. Protestors oppose the student housing project because the park is landmark site for the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Some homeless people have been camping on the site, though the university said it recently offered them shelter elsewhere.
The shipping container wall rises 15 to 16 feet at the 2.8-acre site and is a response to a mass protest last August at which people knocked down a fence that the university erected to isolate the area. The university says its new student housing complex is urgently needed, as the campus has housing for just 23% of its students.
The university must wait before starting construction until the California Supreme Court resolves legal efforts to block the project.
Related Stories
Student Housing | Apr 17, 2024
Student housing partnership gives residents free mental health support
Text-based mental health support app Counslr has partnered with Aptitude Development to provide free mental health support to residents of student housing locations.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 12, 2024
Greystar becomes top apartment owner, manager, and developer in 2024
One firm set records for this year’s National Multifamily Housing Council Top 50 roundup of multifamily firms. Greystar now sits at number one in the NMHC’s lists for top apartment owner, manager, and developer in 2024.
Student Housing | Apr 12, 2024
Construction begins on Auburn University’s new first-year residence hall
The new first-year residence hall along Auburn University's Haley Concourse.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 10, 2024
5 key design trends shaping tomorrow’s rental apartments
The multifamily landscape is ever-evolving as changing demographics, health concerns, and work patterns shape what tenants are looking for in their next home.
Architects | Apr 2, 2024
AE Works announces strategic acquisition of WTW Architects
AE Works, an award-winning building design and consulting firm is excited to announce that WTW Architects, a national leader in higher education design, has joined the firm.
Standards | Apr 1, 2024
New technical bulletin covers window opening control devices
A new technical bulletin clarifies the definition of a window opening control device (WOCD) to promote greater understanding of the role of WOCDs and provide an understanding of a WOCD’s function.
Student Housing | Mar 27, 2024
March student housing preleasing in line with last year
Preleasing is still increasing at a historically fast pace, surpassing 61% in February 2024 and marking a 4.5% increase year-over-year.
MFPRO+ Research | Feb 28, 2024
New download: BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Amenities report
New research from Building Design+Construction and Multifamily Pro+ highlights the 127 top amenities that developers, property owners, architects, contractors, and builders are providing in today’s apartment, condominium, student housing, and senior living communities.
Student Housing | Feb 28, 2024
Mary Cook Associates completes interiors for luxury student housing community
Chicago-based interior design firm Mary Cook Associates announced it has completed the interiors of Lapis, a new 1,086-bed off-campus luxury student housing community near Florida International University.
