Downtown Tacoma could gain nearly 500 new student residents by late 2029, after the University of Washington Tacoma filed a preapplication for a $115 million residence hall and dining complex on Monday, July 20.

The project, called Husky Landing, would place a 136-unit, six-story residence hall at 1745 Market St. and UW Tacoma's first traditional dining hall at 1740 Jefferson Ave. and 1720 Broadway, according to The News Tribune, which first reported the filing.

The sites sit adjacent to UWT's existing Court 17 student apartments, across from the Washington State History Museum and steps from the Tacoma Link light-rail stop at 19th Street/Union Station.

Who's building it

UW Tacoma in June 2026 selected Austin, Texas-based Maslow's Campus Communities as its development partner through a competitive proposal process. Maslow's was founded by CEO Bill Bayless. The project is structured as a public-private partnership between the university and the developer.

The UW Board of Regents authorized the university to solicit a developer on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The campus master plan was developed with design firm Bjarke Ingels Group and supports UWT's long-term goal of growing total enrollment to 10,000 students.

The numbers

The $115 million price tag covers both the residence hall and dining hall. No parking is proposed. The project narrative filed with the city states that the downtown location offers plentiful transportation options, including the Link light rail and multiple Pierce Transit and Sound Transit bus routes that stop on campus.

The Tacoma City Council earlier this spring approved vacating portions of Court C (from South 17th Street to Jefferson Avenue) and South 19th Street (from Market Street to Jefferson Avenue) to make room for the expanded campus.

That's a steep discount. No public explanation for the reduction has been documented.

The university's current residential capacity is limited to one building, Court 17. The preapplication is the first formal step with the city; no hearing date has been scheduled.