Cal Poly Taps Suffolk to Manage $1.2B Modular Housing Project

The university's ambitious plan to add 3,600 new student beds and renovate 1,200 existing ones using modular construction.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:30am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic modular housing unit repeated in a tight grid pattern, in the style of Andy Warhol. The image utilizes flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the modular housing unit into modern pop art.Cal Poly's ambitious modular housing project aims to rapidly expand student housing capacity through innovative construction methods.San Luis Obispo Today

Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo has selected Boston-based construction firm Suffolk to oversee a $1.2 billion multi-phase student housing project that will be the nation's largest modular housing development. The project aims to increase the university's student body from 22,000 to 25,000 by 2030 by adding approximately 3,600 new student beds and renovating about 1,200 existing beds on campus using advanced modular construction techniques.

Why it matters

As Cal Poly looks to expand its student population, this ambitious modular housing project represents a novel approach to rapidly scaling up student housing capacity while minimizing disruption on campus. The use of modular construction methods could serve as a model for other universities facing similar challenges of accommodating growing enrollment.

The details

Suffolk will leverage modular construction and precision stacking methods, making use of advanced digital modeling, geospatial positioning and AI-driven planning tools to streamline the project. FullStack Modular, a company constructing modular housing units at its factory in Los Angeles County, remains responsible for manufacturing the housing units, while Suffolk will oversee management of the broader project. Cal Poly expects to complete the first building of modular housing by fall of this year, which will house about 500 students in three-bedroom suites with double- and triple-occupancy rooms. A second modular housing building with space for 700 students is slated to open in fall 2027.

  • The first modular housing building is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
  • The second modular housing building is slated to open in fall 2027.

The players

Cal Poly

A public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, that is expanding its student body from 22,000 to 25,000 by 2030.

Suffolk

A Boston-based construction management firm that has been selected to oversee Cal Poly's $1.2 billion modular housing project.

FullStack Modular

A company that is constructing the modular housing units for Cal Poly's project at its factory in Los Angeles County.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited to partner with Cal Poly on this transformative project that will leverage the power of modular construction to rapidly scale up student housing capacity while minimizing disruption on campus.”

— John Fish, CEO, Suffolk

What’s next

Cal Poly expects to complete the first modular housing building by fall 2026, which will provide housing for 500 students. A second modular building with space for 700 students is slated to open in fall 2027 as part of the university's broader plan to increase its student population to 25,000 by 2030.

The takeaway

This innovative modular housing project at Cal Poly demonstrates how universities can leverage advanced construction techniques to rapidly scale up student housing capacity and accommodate growing enrollment. The use of modular construction methods could serve as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges in providing affordable and accessible student housing.