UT Breaking Ground on Residence Hall for Law Students

The new building will offer housing, amenities, and a stronger sense of community for UT law students.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:22am

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The University of Texas at Austin is breaking ground on a new residence hall specifically for law students. The building will feature over 300 beds, a library-style reading room, a cafe, a gym, and multiple roof decks. Located across the street from the law school, the residence hall is intended to create a stronger sense of community for UT law students.

Why it matters

As housing costs in Austin have increased, the new residence hall will provide affordable on-campus housing options for UT law students, helping to address rising living expenses. The proximity to the law school and amenities are also expected to enhance the overall student experience and community.

The details

The new residence hall will be located at the northwest corner of East Dean Keeton and Medical Arts streets, directly across from the UT law school. The building is being designed by Austin-based Lemmo Architecture and Design and Houston-based Meeks+ Partners, with Greystar serving as the builder. In addition to the 300+ beds, the residence hall will include a large library-style reading room, a cafe, a gym, and multiple roof decks.

  • The groundbreaking for the new residence hall will take place in March 2026.
  • Construction is expected to be completed before the first residents move in during August 2028.

The players

UT School of Law

The law school at the University of Texas at Austin, one of the top-ranked law schools in the country.

Bobby Chesney

The dean of the UT School of Law, who emphasized the importance of the new residence hall in enhancing the law student experience and community.

Lemmo Architecture and Design

The Austin-based architecture firm serving as the architect of record for the new residence hall.

Meeks+ Partners

The Houston-based architecture firm also serving as an architect of record for the new residence hall.

Greystar

The builder selected to construct the new UT law student residence hall.

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What they’re saying

“Texas Law has long been the best place in the world to be a law student. The residence hall will ensure that remains the case long into the future, delivering extraordinary training and job outcomes for our students, with affordability that our peers cannot match.”

— Bobby Chesney, Dean, UT School of Law (Patch)

“As changes in the Austin rental market increased costs for some students while driving others to commute long distances, we saw this as a challenge that could also be an opportunity. The residence hall will deliver on that with a remarkable boost to the community, value, and proximity for our students.”

— Bobby Chesney, Dean, UT School of Law (Patch)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The new UT law student residence hall represents an investment in enhancing the overall student experience and community, providing affordable on-campus housing options in a high-cost market and delivering amenities that will benefit law students throughout their time at the university.