Campus Improvements Begin

SAN DIEGO, CA—Balfour Beatty Construction has begun work on San Diego State University's $53 million Zura residence hall renovation project. The design-build project will provide upgrades and enhancements to the student housing facility that will improve accommodations.

Built in 1968, the 141,000 gross square foot facility features three separate housing towers with five, seven, and eight stories, and a common first floor. The 585-bed facility will be overhauled to increase housing density to 606 beds. Upgrades will include an enhanced main entrance, the enclosure of selected balconies to increase resident room sizes, new restroom cores, upgraded finishes, new HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as replacement of windows and seismic upgrades. The scope also includes the addition of community space for academic achievement and socialization. Renovations being made to achieve this goal include modifying the existing elevator tower that is currently an open-air format and stops on even numbered floors only. The renovation will enclose the entire elevator core, infill the odd numbered floor levels, and modify the elevators to stop at every floor. This will create a common area on every floor for all three towers. In addition, a roof-top terrace will be added on the five-story building with the ability to show outdoor movies. The structure is surrounded by five other student dorms that will be occupied during construction.

“Together in partnership with SDSU and our design-build partners, HMC Architects + Mahlum Architects, we are excited to breathe new life into one of the University's oldest housing facilities,” said Anton Greenville, senior vice president of Balfour Beatty Construction. “We are committed to delivering a premier facility and to being a relentless ally for the success of this project.”

The renovation project is being financed through the California State University (CSU) System wide Revenue Bond program, and housing reserves. It is expected to be complete by summer 2015.

This is the fourth major housing project at SDSU contracted to Balfour Beatty Construction. The company also provided design-build services to construct the Cuicacalli residence halls and dining facility. In addition, the company provided construction management at-risk services for renovations at the University Towers residence hall and dining facility and Villa Alvarado Apartments.

Balfour Beatty Construction is ranked as the 5th largest Education builder by Engineering News-Record (2013). The Southwest division's Zura Hall project team includes Greenville, senior vice president; Al Calvet, project executive; Chris Drinko, senior project manager; Molly Engelbert, assistant project manager.