Sierra Hall Named Among Best Real Estate Projects of the Year

Sierra Hall, Sierra College’s new student housing facility, has been named one of the Sacramento Business Journal‘s 2026 Best Real Estate Projects of the Year, in the Student Housing category.

The $107 million, 124,000-square-foot building opened in January 2026 and nearly tripled the college’s on-campus housing, from 120 beds to 358. Of those, 269 beds are offered at below-market rates of $823 a month for room and board. The project was funded by $80 million from the State of California and $27 million in district funds.

“We are grateful for the recognition of this high-impact project for our students and our community,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “By nearly tripling our beds with a priority on affordability, this building fills a critical gap for many students who are struggling to find stable housing. We are committed to removing barriers to basic needs like housing, transportation and food so our students can focus on pursuing their education and finding quality jobs for their future.”  

Located in the center of campus near the student union, cafeteria and library, Sierra Hall offers apartment-style units that house six students in three bedrooms, with shared living rooms and kitchenettes. The building also includes study areas, a game room, a community kitchen, laundry facilities, a student services suite and a fitness center. Demand has been strong from the start: the building is fully occupied this fall, with more than 200 students on the waitlist.

Sierra Hall was developed by Sierra College, built by DPR Construction and designed by HKS Inc. Kelly Moulton, Sierra College’s director of facilities and construction, accepted the award alongside DPR Construction and HKS Inc. at the Business Journal’s awards breakfast on September 24 at McClellan Park. The project is also featured in the Journal’s September 25 special section recognizing developments that are changing the Sacramento region.

“It really changes the culture of campus,” said Moulton. “Students are here and not just taking a class and getting in their car and going home. We’re grateful to the Business Journal for this recognition and to our partners at DPR and HKS, and the demand we’ve seen since opening tells us how much it was needed.”

About Sierra College

Sierra College is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu