UAB’s most recent housing option — the McMahon Residence Hall — opened in 2021.Over the past decade, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s campus has undergone remarkable expansion, drawing students from all corners of the nation and beyond to embrace its cutting-edge technologies, innovative learning environments, collaborative spaces and thriving community.
“Student Housing continues to be an important factor when students consider where they want to attend college, as it is one of the most important aspects of the college experience for undergraduate students,” said Marc Booker, executive director of Student Housing and Dining. “With over 40 percent of our residence hall accommodations being opened within the last eight years, we are very attractive to students when comparing housing options that were built in the mid-20th century on other campuses.”
UAB’s residence halls play an integral role of providing transformational experiences for UAB undergraduate students as they pursue academic success and prepare for life beyond the campus.
Booker also says UAB housing is attractive, is affordable, and places students right in the center of their academic and social experience on campus.
“Our students experience a convenient walk to our classrooms, dining locations, libraries, athletic venues and local interests on the south side of town,” Booker said. “There really is not a more convenient housing option for our students. Our full occupancy rates are a testimony to the value our students see in the on-campus experience.”
In 2014, UAB had five residence halls to house 2,190 students. By 2021, UAB had added additional residence halls and increased residence capacity by 53 percent to 3,360 students.
UAB’s most recent housing option — the McMahon Residence Hall — opened in 2021 and reflects UAB’s growing number of students over the past 10 years and the increasing desire for a unique student experience.
The $73 million, 231,089-square-foot residence hall is located near the Campus Green in the housing core of the campus — the south half of the block bordered by Ninth and 10th avenues south and 16th and 17th streets. The 712-bed residence hall includes dedicated study spaces, a storm shelter, multiuse office space, and a dining venue with three food vendors and seating capacity for 250. McMahon Hall is the first Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building at UAB.
In 2015, Gold Hall opened to accommodate increased demand for on-campus housing, which was filled to capacity for the four years prior and allowed more than 700 students to join the students housed in the five other residence halls at UAB. The nearly 221,804-square-foot residence hall includes community program spaces and the Student Housing and Residence Life offices in addition to housing for incoming freshmen.
To learn more about future student housing opportunities, click here.