The University of Miami is planning a two-building student housing complex named Gables Village that forms Phase 3 of the institution’s Housing Facilities Strategic Plan on the Coral Gables Campus. The project, designed by Arquitectonica, will replace the existing Mahoney Pearson Residential Colleges and Commons at 1201 and 1101 Stanford Drive. A Campus Master Plan Amendment, including the project, was approved by the City of Coral Gables in October 2025, and the proposal was presented to the Coral Gables Development Review Committee on November 21.
The development team includes Thornton Tomasetti as the structural engineer, Langan as the civil engineer, TLC as the MEP engineer, Arquitectonica GEO as the landscape architect, ARQ Interiors as the interior designer, and Jensen Hughes as the life safety consultant.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Renderings show a pair of mid rise towers characterized by rounded corners, stepped volumes, and interlocking massing that shifts horizontally as the buildings rise. Several upper levels extend outward beyond the lower floors, creating cantilevered forms supported by slender exposed vertical columns. These columns introduce reveal gaps between massing layers, giving portions of the upper floors a floating appearance while maintaining structural continuity. The façade alternates between white and deep green exterior finishes, likely stucco, with window groupings arranged in horizontal bands that reinforce the buildings’ horizontal emphasis. The towers top out at parapet heights of approximately 131 feet for Residential College 1 and 141 feet for Residential College 2. At the ground level, tall storefront glazing frames dining, lounge, and common areas, opening the base of the complex to pedestrian pathways, landscaped seating areas, and shaded circulation routes.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Gables Village will span approximately 573,804 gross square feet across two residential colleges that share ground-floor amenities. Altogether, the development will include 1,458 beds across 429 units, with the majority in private single rooms. Residential College 1 at 1201 Stanford Drive will rise nine floors with 222 units and 735 beds. Residential College 2 at 1101 Stanford Drive will stand ten floors with 207 units and 723 beds. Both structures will incorporate study rooms, classrooms, wellness spaces, recreation lounges, collaboration areas, and a 700-seat dining hall. The complex also includes nine faculty and staff units.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Credit: Arquitectonica.
Site access will come from Stanford Drive and will include a dedicated drop-off area designed to reduce traffic impacts. The existing Mahoney Pearson Garage will continue serving residents and commuters, with its entrance planned for relocation to the south side for access from Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
A new 9,898-square-foot Central Energy Plant, known as CEP3, will be built at the northwest corner of the Mahoney Pearson Garage. The one-story structure will include a mezzanine and will reach approximately 52 feet in height, including the parapet. The plant will support Gables Village and strengthen campus infrastructure.
Demolition of the Mahoney Pearson Residential Colleges and Commons is scheduled for summer 2026. Construction of Gables Village is anticipated to begin immediately afterward, with completion targeted for mid-2029. Demolition of the existing dining hall will occur in a future phase, not included in the current review. Coastal Construction served as the general contractor for Centennial Village’s Phase 1 and is now wrapping up Phase 2, so it would not be surprising if they are considered for Phase 3.
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Hideous–but the design maintains U of M’s legacy as one of the most unattractive campuses in the country.