- Construction began on Chapter Salt Lake City, a student housing project near the University of Utah.
- The 251-unit, 693-bed development is set to complete by summer 2028.
- Located by a TRAX station, it offers amenities like art studios and cafes.
SALT LAKE CITY — Developers on Wednesday broke ground on a new off-campus student housing development for the University of Utah.
The plan for the development — now being called Chapter Salt Lake City — was kicked into motion in October when the Salt Lake City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve design standards modifications that the Utah development firm Cole West requested for its property at 410 S. 900 East, formerly the site of an OfficeMax that shuttered years ago.
Following October's approval, the groundbreaking is the latest step in making the 251-unit, 693-bed development a reality. The project is estimated to be completed in summer 2028.
It comes at a time of need, too, with the University of Utah posting six consecutive years of record enrollment, reaching nearly 40,000 students in 2025.
"This project is especially meaningful for us because it allows Cole West to contribute to the housing needs of the University of Utah, the flagship university in our state's capital city," Darlene Carter, CEO of Cole West, said in a statement. "As enrollment continues to grow, high-quality housing that connects students to campus and the surrounding neighborhood becomes increasingly important. We are proud to partner with CRG to deliver a best-in-class living experience for University of Utah students."
Project officials said they picked the site because it's also located next to Utah Transit Authority's 900 East TRAX station and a busy bus stop, adding additional transportation options for students, especially those who are just a stop away from the U. campus on the light-rail line.
The property itself will feature several amenities, including gathering spaces, outdoor dining patios, courtyards, an art studio, a co-working lounge for students, and new landscaping.
About two dozen new trees will be planted, and there will be a pedestrian-oriented design element, according to project planners. They add that there will be multiple public art murals included in the final product, along with a cafe that's open to the public.
Along with Cole West, the development is also being backed by CRG, a national real estate development and investment firm that has expanded its "Chapter" student housing to college towns across the nation, including Eugene, Oregon; Madison, Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"A large part of the appeal is the incredible access to the hiking and biking trails of the Wasatch range, as well as proximity to world-class skiing in Park City and Deer Valley. We plan to tailor wellness activities and promotional events to take full advantage of these tremendous amenities and provide our residents with an unmatched collegiate experience," J.J. Smith, executive vice president and partner at CRG, said in a statement.
The latest student housing development is just part of a broader shift toward more housing-centric buildings in the area. In July 2025, the commission approved a proposal to turn the site of an old Village Inn restaurant, located across the street from 900 East, into 20 "family-sized" townhomes.
