Development
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
Rice University presents $120M project to link campus, stadium
Rice University o cials unveiled plans Nov. 6 to transform the west side of the campus to create what they are calling the “Gateway Project,” which includes creating a pedestrian-friendly corridor that will link the campus to the center of the Rice Village Shopping Center. The new pedestrian-oriented street will extend Amherst Avenue two blocks east from Morningside Drive, through Chaucer Drive, to a new campus entrance near Entrance 13A on Greenbriar Drive, according to a November news release. The corridor is intended to serve as a connection between Rice Village and the university campus by activating underused outdoor spaces and creating a walkable pathway lined with trees, lighting and green spaces. “By connecting our campus directly to the Village, we are strengthening our ties to Houston while enriching the student experience, advancing our growth and reinforcing Rice’s commitment to innovation and community,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. The new street will also feature major infrastructure upgrades, including new drainage, sewer and water lines.
The Gateway Project The new project is a part of Rice University’s 30-year Campus Land Use Plan, a blueprint used for the physical development of the campus.
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Campus green space
A new campus entrance will link the university to Rice Village.
RENDERING COURTESY SWA GROUP
RICEBLVD.
Village Gateway Park
Practice facility site
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Reimagined stadium
FUTURE AMHERST ST.
New Rice Village retail
GREENBRIAR DR.
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SOURCE: SWA GROUP COMMUNITY IMPACT
Something to note
More details
Looking ahead
Ken Jett, president of the Rice Real Estate Company, which owns roughly 260,000 square feet of building area in Rice Village, said that funding and costs associated with the portion of the project that extends into the Village are still being determined. The project includes creating a new Rice Village retail center, which University o cials hope will attract a mix of uses, including new retail, residential housing, restaurants and a potential grocery store. The project will include the demolition of a vacant building on the future lot, as well as a few vacant houses. Jett said the company owns all of the property set for demolition and/or redevelopment. While most of the details for the Rice Village side of the Gateway Project are still under consideration, such as funding, cost, parking and timeline, Jett said he hopes to break ground on the project sometime in 2026, close to the fourth quarter. However, demolition of the Greenbriar Annex Building started on Nov. 7.
The project also includes renovating Rice Stadium, which includes demolishing the existing press box, upper bowl and upper concourse for a new three-level west con- course building with premium club seating, banquet space and private suites. The former practice eld known as the “Bubble” will also be torn down to make way for a new covered practice pavilion. Additional improvements will include a 360-degree concourse and new restrooms.
Stadium renovations and the University’s side of the Gateway Project will cost $120 million and are mostly alumni and donor-funded. Construction is set to start in spring 2026 and take approximately two to three years to complete. DesRoches said Rice o cials anticipate that the stadium will be ready for competition by the rst game of 2028; however, he said that games will continue to be held at the stadium during construction.
Dates to know
Spring 2026
Construction to start on Gateway Project & new stadium
Q4 2026
Construction to start on new Rice Village retail center
Mid- 2028
New stadium to be completed
Stadium renovations will be led by Populous, a global design rm. RENDERING COURTESY POPULOUS
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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
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