On April 25, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) broke ground for a new residence hall and dining facility.

The site is located on 3rd St. S between 5th and 6th avenues. The 375-bed facility will expand available on-campus housing by nearly 70 percent. It will also house the campus’ first full-service dining facility, which accommodates 400.

Construction is expected to be finished by July 2020.

The Beck Group is the project’s architect. The company is seeking LEED gold certification for the building from the U.S. Green Building Council. If certified, it would be the fourth USFSP building to earn gold certification.

The rooms in the residence hall will be suite style in configuration, with about 60-75 percent being four-bed, two-bath single occupancy units. The remainder will be two-bed, one-bath double-occupancy units.

Approximately 30-40 of the single occupancy units will be designated “flex” units, which are capable of converting to double-occupancy. The design will include a student lounge and study room on each floor, as well as a community laundry space. The first floor will house a communal kitchen as well as a lounge with multiple areas to congregate, study and hang out.