Pitt is moving forward with plans to convert an existing parking lot into a new first-year residence hall on the corner of Fifth and Ruskin avenues. 

The project is part of Pitt’s efforts to increase on-campus housing, as proposed in the University’s Campus Master Plan. Based on the University’s targeted timeline, construction would begin this upcoming summer — following approval by the Board of Trustees in May — and conclude during the summer of 2028. 

The University recently conducted interviews with design-build companies. Three final teams will pitch themselves to student and faculty representatives on Feb. 10, according to University spokesperson Jared Stonesifer. 

“A stakeholder committee that includes University leadership and student government representation will review the finalists based on design, schedule and costs and recommend a finalist to an executive committee for approval,” Stonesifer said.

According to Stonesifer, the building is expected to house approximately 400 students. He said the University plans to include a dining facility and individual showers and powder rooms and is considering adding Honors College amenities.

Marley Pinsky, Student Government Board president and a junior politics and philosophy major, said she was part of the interview panel alongside staff members from Residence Life, the Office of Planning, Design and Construction and the Frederick Honors College. According to Pinsky, the companies focused on the building’s architectural design as part of a “historic corridor.”

“It’s right by the music building — a historic building — and it’s right by the Cathedral, and then there’s the Heinz Chapel right there, so there’s a lot of historic architecture,” Pinsky said. “They were trying to navigate, ‘How do we make it blend in versus stand out?’”

Pinsky said she likes the idea of having a “signature Pitt building” on the edge of campus.

“The location of it is pretty cool,” Pinsky said. “It’s sort of a welcoming gateway to campus.”

Jenna Woelke, a first-year media and professional communications major, said she appreciates the University’s efforts to create more student housing.

“I think they are doing all that they can with this space, especially in the city,” Woelke said. “Hearing that they do have plans is honestly pretty impressive, being in the city, because you really don’t have anywhere to expand.”

After enrolling its largest class yet for the fall 2025 semester, Pitt leased the Hampton Inn and Pennsylvania Apartments and converted them into first-year dormitories to accommodate its increased student population. According to Stonesifer, the University plans to continue leasing these accommodations as first-year housing for the 2026-27 academic year.

“The University is committed to meeting the housing needs of incoming students as it continues to grow its first-year class in alignment with the Plan for Pitt,” Stonesifer said. “Pitt will continue to assess additional leasing opportunities as needed to accommodate incoming classes.”

The Plan for Pitt outlines multiple initiatives to “move Pitt forward,” including Campus Master Plan goals to increase on-campus residency to 60% and undergraduate enrollment to 22,000 for 2028.

Klaudia Ujda, an undeclared first-year resident of the Hampton Inn, said the distance to central campus is the hardest part of living in the hotel. 

“Distance is a big thing,” Ujda said. “It’s kind of annoying when everybody lives at Towers and you’re like, ‘Come hang out,’ but they don’t want to walk the distance.”

Despite not being near other first-year dorms, Ujda said there is still space for students to socialize.

“I feel like there’s a good community there,” Ujda said. “There’s the lobby — everyone hangs out there.”

Linh Hoang, an undeclared first-year student and Ujda’s roommate, said the Hampton Inn is worth its more expensive cost but would not recommend it to potential students concerned about housing costs.

“You get what you pay for,” Hoang said. “If [students] can pay for it, do it. But if you’re going through a financial hardship, it is not fun looking at the bill.”

Although she is enjoying her experience, Hoang said she would not want to live on campus again.

“I think university housing is just kind of expensive in general,” Hoang said. “I would much rather live comfortably and not worry about having more debt because of housing.”