EdR to Begin Construction of Housing at UC Berkeley

by Scott Reid

Berkeley, Calif. — EdR will soon begin construction on the redevelopment of Bowles Hall, a historic residential facility serving the University of California, Berkeley.

The Bowles Hall Foundation (BHF) is funding the $39.5 million project primarily through tax-exempt revenue bonds underwritten by Raymond James Financial Inc. and a capital campaign led by Bowles Hall alumni and foundation members.

The University of California Board of Regents approved the BHF’s proposal in March 2014 to renovate, refurnish and reestablish Bowles Hall as a residential college. With the signing of a ground lease with the University of California, Berkeley, the Bowles Hall Foundation will become the owner and independent operator of Bowles Hall for 45 years.

EdR was selected by BHF last year to execute all the aspects of this renovation, including the design and construction processes, which will be led by PYATOK Architecture + Urban Design and Clark Construction Group, respectively.

Construction will begin this month. EdR will provide property management services to the community upon its completion in summer 2016.

The University of California, Berkeley has been selected by U.S. News & World Report magazine as the highest ranked public university for nearly 20 years.

Bowles Hall was built in 1929 as the nation’s first residential college, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a memorable City of Berkeley landmark. The neo-gothic style building resembles a castle and is located against the hills on the northeast side of campus.

The exterior will be repaired and maintained according to historic preservation requirements. The interior will be renovated to its original design, will preserve many of its unique features, and also be modernized to accommodate the information technology and lifestyle needs of today’s students.

Bowles Hall will be a mix of single and double suite-style units for a total of 192 beds that will house students, graduate student mentors, and a housemaster and a dean, both university professors. Amenities will include a dining hall, residential college library and a game room.

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