On-campus housing expansion sets foundation for student success

A new 800-bed building on 19th Street will allow Colorado School of Mines to house the sophomore class on campus starting in Fall 2026.

Construction is expected to begin this spring on the apartment-style building, which will more than double the number of beds available on campus for second-year students.

“Being able to house the sophomore class on campus is a milestone for Mines – and the achievement of a major goal of our housing master plan,” said Braelin Pantel, vice president of student life at Mines. “Doing so allows us to continue the support, engagement and sense of community that develops in a student’s first year in the residence halls while also honoring the unique experience of being a sophomore at Mines. On campus together, second-year students will more readily be able to stay connected to each other, their studies and to the resources and facilities at Mines.”

The new building  is one of two major housing projects currently under development on the Mines campus – the other, the redevelopment and renovation of Mines Park, will also double the beds available for juniors, seniors and graduate students starting in Fall 2025. 

“Many upper-division students in their second year and beyond have to start looking for housing in October or November to be able to secure an appropriate place to live near campus for the following year. This can be a major stressor for students and their families,” Pantel said. “Expanding housing on campus is an important way that Mines is demonstrating our commitment to the student experience.”

New sophomore apartments

Located at the corner of 19th and Illinois streets, across the street from Starzer Welcome Center, the new sophomore building will feature apartment-style living with full kitchens and living rooms in each apartment.

Apartments will house four students, some in single-occupancy rooms and others in double-occupancy rooms. Each apartment will have two bathrooms, and the building has been designed with the 1750 Jackson sophomore apartments in mind. 

The first floor of the new building will feature a cafe, study spaces, fitness center with rooms for group fitness classes, and a 24/7 “frictionless” market where students can buy basic groceries. A dedicated Ore Cart stop will connect the five-story building to the rest of campus. 

Rent will be competitive for the location and amenities with 10-month leases – same as 1750 Jackson. The building was designed by Anderson Mason Dale Architects. 

“The Residence Life Team intentionally designs the residential experience to meet students’ needs, which vary based on several factors. For example, first-year students need a little more support in their transition to and through their first year of college. For second-year students, who are more comfortable with the academic rigor yet are still developing their community at Mines, a little more autonomy makes sense,” said Mary Elliott, executive director of Residence Life and Auxiliary Services.  “Having the ability to cook for themselves, while still living in a tight-knit community with other students in their second year gives them the support they need along with the independence that they seek. This notion of graduated autonomy continues as students move into Mines Park in their junior year and beyond.”  

Mines Park redevelopment 

On the west side of U.S. 6, work continues on the redevelopment of Mines Park in partnership with student housing developer Capstone Development Partners.

The top-to-bottom renovation of the 19 smaller apartment buildings will be completed this summer. The six larger apartment buildings have already been demolished, to be replaced with five new apartment buildings, with a total of 658 beds in a mix of studio, 2-bedroom and 4-bedroom units scheduled to open in the Fall 2025.

All told, the project – which also includes a fitness center for residents and more intentional connections to the outdoors – will bring the total number of beds at Mines Park to 1,058, up from 495. 

All units will also be equipped with air conditioning, and units for family housing will also have in-unit washers and dryers. Shuttle service to the main Mines campus, on the east side of U.S. 6, will be provided by the Ore Cart.

“The redevelopment at Mines Park brings not only updated fixtures and unit types, it also adds space for students to gather and study together,” Elliott said. “Given the diversity of the residents at Mines Park, students spending time with one another presents opportunities for students to learn from and support one another, while enjoying Mines-specific amenities and the convenience of campus housing.”