Midwestern University’s $95M Student Housing Project in Glendale

Midwestern University is tackling the rising rental costs and student housing shortage head-on with a massive new on-campus housing initiative:


🧱 Project Overview

  • Investment: Up to $95 million for new student housing.
  • Developer: Phoenix-based Chanen Construction.
  • Scope: 256 individual apartment-style units across eight two-story buildings.
  • Location: North end of Glendale campus near Loop 101 & 59th Avenue.
  • Timeline: Full completion by end of 2025; some buildings ready by fall 2025.

🎯 Project Highlights

  • Units designed for single occupancy: bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, patio, and a study-sized walk-in closet.
  • Monthly rent will be below market rates to help ease financial burdens on grad students.
  • Campus housing currently 100% occupied with a long waitlist—strong demand expected for new units.
  • This is the 6th phase of housing construction by Chanen for the campus in nearly 30 years.

📈 Economic Impact

  • Project is part of a $269.7M capital plan by Midwestern University.
  • Estimated $767M in local economic impact from 2023-24 alone.
  • Adds thousands of construction and support jobs to the Arizona economy.
  • Additional boosts from visitor spending, student expenditures, and university procurement.

🧠 Why It Matters for Investors

  • Indicates continued high demand for student housing in growth corridors like Glendale.
  • Signals opportunities in build-to-rent and university-adjacent housing.
  • Demonstrates how institutional investment in real estate can anchor long-term value.
  • Adds pressure and competition for existing multifamily and SFR rentals in the area.