CSUSM Set to Open New Housing, Dining Facilities

More than 300 additional students will move into housing at Cal State San Marcos tomorrow as the university prepares to open North Commons, its third housing facility.  

The seven-story North Commons, designed for first-year students, is the second housing complex that CSUSM has built in partnership with Sea Breeze Properties, LLC, the developer of the North City project across Barham Drive from campus.  

The move-in date for the 332 new residents of North Commons is Friday, Aug. 26. The first day of the fall semester at CSUSM is Monday, Aug. 29.  

“We are excited for the opening of North Commons as another step in line with the vision and mission of Cal State San Marcos,” said Jeremy Williamson, CSUSM’s director of facilities and operations. “The unique partnership between CSUSM and North City provides an amazing opportunity for CSUSM students to experience state-of-the-art, modern-day college living in the vibrant, up-and-coming city of San Marcos. In collaboration with campus partners, this new community will cater to our first-year students through intentional programming efforts, modern meeting spaces, a recreational space and a classroom on site for added convenience. We can’t wait for students and families to move into North Commons this fall. We know it will be an unforgettable experience.” 

The opening of North Commons will go hand in hand with that of CSUSM’s first student dining hall. Campus Way Cafe, scheduled to open in September, features more than 8,000 square feet of dining space located on the ground floor of The QUAD housing facility. Built to accommodate 124 students indoors and 76 students outdoors, the cafe will focus on offering healthier food options and balanced meals.  

“The Campus Way Cafe is a transformational project for CSUSM and a critical step toward building a complete residential life experience for our campus community,” said Will Marchese, executive director of the CSUSM Corporation. “Uniquely situated at the edge of North City and campus, the Campus Way Cafe will deliver an exciting and vibrant dining experience that will undoubtedly enhance the living-learning experience for our students. We couldn’t be more excited about this project and what it means to CSUSM.” 

The addition of North Commons brings CSUSM’s total housing capacity to 1,879, as it joins University Village Apartments and The QUAD. Built by Turner Construction Company and designed by Safdie Rabines Architects, North Commons offers single, double and triple occupancy bedrooms in a modern, glass-adorned building. Amenities are designed to encourage social interaction, including common areas, lounges and study spaces on every level, plus a large furnished lobby and meeting places on the ground floor.  

The two projects extend CSUSM’s longtime partnership with North City, with the parties having previously teamed up to build The QUAD and the university’s Extended Learning Building.  

“After several years in the planning stages together with our partners at CSUSM, North City looks forward to welcoming the first residents of North Commons for the fall semester,” said Gary Levitt, principal of Sea Breeze Properties. “We’ve worked collectively with CSUSM, Safdie Rabines Architects and Turner Construction to create a beautiful building that complements everything we have already built in North City, and importantly offers students inspired spaces for living, learning and creative exploration.”