BERKELEY | UC Berkeley Channing-Bowdich Student Housing | FT | 26 FLOORS

[38 Geary]

The specs for Channing-Bowdich Student Housing:
- 26 floors, ? ft
- 1,500-2,000 beds for student housing
- 550,000 sq ft of dormitory space
- Amenities include a dining facility, social and recreation services

The site:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iQUmJe16b3NaFynr7

UC Berkeley Plans Construction of New 26-Story Dorm Building at Channing Way and Bowditch Street



By: Gabriel Clark-Clough 5:30 am on March 26, 2026

The University of California at Berkeley has made clear its intention to move forward with its largest-ever student housing project. The proposed building would reach 26 stories, rising 3 more above the university’s next largest project, currently under construction at Bancroft Way and Fulton Street.

...

SOM is responsible for the building’s full design and layout. Their plans currently require the partial demolition of the existing property and the integration of its remaining buildings into the larger housing complex. The new structures consist of a split height, with a full height 26-story building at the corner of Channing Way and Bowdich Street, and a 14-story addition stretching further along Bowdich. Early façade designs of the complex show a white and grey cement panel façade with patterned window placement. The first two stories of the buildings are to act as a podium, and they will contain the majority of the student amenities for the site. Design for the base floors is shown as prioritizing light and visibility, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an inset façade. In addition to the indoor spaces, the new complex plans to include an outdoor courtyard space and garden area for the students’ use.

The site’s plans are being promoted by the university as a high-quality solution to the high demand for more student housing. However, there have been some community pushes back against the project. Specifically, preservation-minded community members are concerned about the partial demolition and adaptation of the historic Anna Head School for Girls buildings that are located on the site. While the project plans to partially preserve some of the buildings, there will be significant changes made. UC Berkeley staff chose the site in spite of the raised concerns. The already dense area in Berkeley’s Southside has more limited options for the type of large-scale development demanded by the need for student housing. However, it remains desirable because of its high accessibility, many student-friendly businesses, and a generally social environment. The university likely believes that these many benefits are what make the project worthwhile.

https://sfyimby.com/2026/03/uc-berkeley-...at-channing-way-and-bowditch-street.html