Stony Brook University Announces Mixed-Use Residential Development Initiative

Stony Brook University advances an integrated housing and campus gateway vision to support students, medical residents, faculty, staff, and long-term campus growth

STONY BROOK, NY - January 22, 2026 - The State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University) recently announced the launch of a Mixed-Use Residential Development initiative, a major step in the University's long-term strategy to expand on-campus living, address housing demand and affordability challenges, and create a vibrant new gateway that strengthens connections between campus life and the surrounding community. The initiative is led by the Stony Brook Housing Development Corporation's (SBHDC).

This initiative envisions a comprehensive, mixed-use campus district on the University's West Campus that brings together student housing, workforce housing, retail and dining, shared amenities, parking, and sustainable energy infrastructure within a cohesive, village-style environment. The goal is to create a high-quality residential community that enriches student life, supports student success, strengthens workforce recruitment and retention, and enhances the overall campus experience.

As part of this effort, SBHDC has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify experienced development partners capable of delivering a complex, long-term project aligned with the University's strategic goals, housing needs, and sustainability commitments.

"Housing is foundational to student success and to the long-term strength of the University," said William Herrmann, Vice President for Facilities & Services and Chief Sustainability Officer. "The planned mixed-use residential development reflects a thoughtful, integrated approach to campus planning that brings together student and workforce housing, shared amenities, and sustainable infrastructure. The district is strategically located near mass transit and designed to foster a vibrant, walkable, college-town gateway with a main-street feel that supports our academic mission, strengthens community, and positions Stony Brook for continued growth."

Supporting Student Life and Academic Success

Stony Brook University serves more than 26,000 students and continues to face strong demand for on-campus housing. The initiative is intended to expand residential capacity while improving housing quality and affordability. The project is expected to deliver new apartment-style student housing with a student-life-centered amenity package to support student life, encourage academic engagement, social connection, and a strong sense of place within the campus community.

The student housing component is targeted to support Fall 2029 occupancy and will emphasize affordability, durability, and long-term operational efficiency.

Advancing Workforce Housing and Institutional Stability

In addition to student housing, the initiative is designed to address the growing need for workforce housing for medical residents, junior faculty, and staff. Rising regional housing costs and limited availability have created challenges for recruitment and retention across higher education and healthcare institutions. By incorporating workforce housing into the initiative, the University aims to support its employees with high-quality housing options that promote well-being, stability, and long-term institutional continuity. These residences will be supported by employee-centered amenities that provide secure, comfortable, and restorative living environments, offering a respite from academic and clinical work.

Creating a Vibrant Campus Gateway

Beyond housing, the initiative will include ground-floor retail and dining space, outdoor gathering areas, and shared amenities sized to support the student and workforce population and designed to contribute to a lively, welcoming campus gateway. The district is intended to foster interaction among students, faculty, staff, and their visitors while reinforcing Stony Brook University's role as a regional anchor institution.

The project will also advance the University's sustainability goals by integrating energy-efficient, all-electric building systems and scalable clean energy solutions, consistent with New York State climate and decarbonization mandates.

Commitment to Sustainability and Resilience

The project will advance Stony Brook University's leadership in sustainability. Development will align with New York State climate and decarbonization mandates, including Executive Order 22 and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and is expected to incorporate energy-efficient, all-electric building systems and scalable clean energy solutions to support the project.

Next Steps

The RFQ process represents the first step in identifying development teams with the experience and capacity to partner with the University on this complex, long-term initiative. Following the RFQ phase, SBHDC anticipates advancing a limited number of qualified teams to a subsequent Request for Proposals stage.

Additional information about the Project, including development objectives and procurement details, is available in the RFQ issued by SBHDC: https://procurement.sbhdc.org/