2025 ENR West Award of Merit - Higher Education / Research
The UCSD Theatre District Living & Learning Neighborhood has earned the ENR Award of Merit in Higher Education/Research in the Southern California region.
This transformative development replaced a surface parking lot with five new buildings totaling 76 stories, along with a 509,000 square-foot underground parking structure. Spanning nearly 12 acres, the neighborhood delivers more than 913,000 square feet of student housing while prioritizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and student well-being. The UCSD Theatre District project provides a neighborhood for students to be near nature while encompassing a welcoming environment to flourish socially, academically, mentally, and physically. The project studied the placement of the buildings and found solutions to maximize natural ventilation in necessary spaces to boost sustainability initiatives.
As the mechanical and plumbing contractor, A.O. Reed delivered the critical systems on the project. Our scope included connecting the project to UCSD’s high-temperature hot water loop, installing radiant heating, air handlers, and exhaust systems. Our team also installed extensive plumbing systems across student housing and amenity spaces. This ENR recognition highlights the scale and performance of the work, as well as our commitment to building sustainable infrastructure for the campus community.
Beyond the technical achievement, the project fosters a sense of community with amenities including a meditation pavilion, tea house, fitness center, commuter lounge, and outdoor gathering spaces. Completed in August 2024, the Theatre District neighborhood reflects UCSD’s commitment to sustainable growth while supporting the academic and social life of its students.
From design through construction, UCSD Theatre District reflects the value of collaboration and the shared commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality spaces for the campus community.
UCSD Theatre District
This project constructed five buildings with a total of 76 floors on 11.8 acres - producing 913,000 square feet of student housing spaces.