Major new housing complex coming to Cal Poly — and another will be torn down and replaced

Mackenzie Shuman
·2 min read

Cal Poly has some big plans to increase housing capacity on campus.

“We think we’re the largest housing developer in San Luis Obispo County,” said Keith Humphrey, the university’s vice president for student affairs. “And we’re excited for these new housing projects to get started.”

As early as the fall of 2026 and no later than 2030, Cal Poly is planning to tear up old parking lots behind the South Mountain dorms, known as the “Red Bricks,” and turn them into high-density housing complexes.

The new dorms should fit at least 3,000 beds, Humphrey said, although that could change as the plans are drawn up.

“The next step will be tearing down North Mountain,” Humphrey said. “Those are our oldest dorms on campus, and it’s now their time to go.”

What is that in SLO County?

Ever wonder what that construction is in your town? Or what happened to that cool project that was proposed? We’re finding out the answers as part of a new series. Send us your questions and tips by emailing reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com.

• • •

Related Stories

• SLO County project to feature 59 condos. Get a look at the plans

• 'Shopping center of the future' finally taking shape in Atascadero

The North Mountain residence halls were opened in 1952. Cal Poly plans to tear those down within the next decade and redevelop them into dorms to fit another few thousand beds.

Right now, the plans are rough, but they’re coming quickly into focus. Cal Poly selected a design partner for the 3,000-bed development behind the Red Bricks just a few weeks ago.

The parking lots above Cal Poly’s South Mountain dorms, known as the “Red Bricks,” will be the site of a new housing community that will be home to about 3,000 students.
The parking lots above Cal Poly’s South Mountain dorms, known as the “Red Bricks,” will be the site of a new housing community that will be home to about 3,000 students.

The new development is part of Cal Poly’s Master Plan, adopted in 2020.

That plan calls for the university to almost double its housing capacity on campus — from about 7,800 beds in 2020 to nearly 15,000 by 2035.

The university will also build two new parking structures on campus: one at Highland Drive east of the railroad tracks, and one at Via Carta near Baggett Stadium, according to the Master Plan.

The North Mountain residence halls opened in 1952 and were named for well known California mountains: Shasta, Diablo, Palomar, Whitney and Lassen. The dorms will be torn down to make way for a higher-density housing community.
The North Mountain residence halls opened in 1952 and were named for well known California mountains: Shasta, Diablo, Palomar, Whitney and Lassen. The dorms will be torn down to make way for a higher-density housing community.

The university is already increasing capacity by fitting more students into current on-campus housing than originally planned. This year, there are roughly 8,800 students, or 39% of the total student body population, living on campus — the highest number ever, according to Humphrey.

Cal Poly accomplished this by reconfiguring the yakʔitʸutʸu four-person rooms as five-person rooms for the 2023-24 academic year, according to university spokesperson Matt Lazier.

Eventually, the university aims to house 60% to 65% of its student body population on campus, Humphrey said.

Housing more students on campus is beneficial in a lot of ways, he noted.

“This helps student be more connected to campus, to their classes and their peers,” Humphrey said. “Plus, providing affordable, good housing on campus helps free up off-campus housing for workforce housing and the community.”

The North Mountain residence halls opened in 1952 and were named for well known California mountains: Shasta, Diablo, Palomar, Whitney and Lassen. The dorms will be torn down to make way for a higher-density housing community.
The North Mountain residence halls opened in 1952 and were named for well known California mountains: Shasta, Diablo, Palomar, Whitney and Lassen. The dorms will be torn down to make way for a higher-density housing community.