University of Tennessee Knoxville’s housing P3 wins national recognition

April 15, 2026 →

Left: The University of Tennessee Knoxville (photo credit: Adobe Stock)

Right: 2026 Student Housing Business Innovator Awards (photo credit: Student Business Housing)

PROJECT NEWS

The project named Best Public/Private Partnership Development of the Year

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s (UTK) Phase I RISE housing initiative has been named Best Public/Private Partnership Development of the Year at the 16th Annual Student Housing Business Innovator Awards.

The award recognizes excellence in student housing development, marketing and operations – and by honoring UTK, the industry recognizes the innovative approach to expanding campus housing capacity quickly amid unprecedented enrollment growth.

Faced with surging demand and limited on-campus housing capacity, the RISE development enabled the UTK to meet immediate student housing needs while maintaining financial flexibility for future campus priorities, which underscores the university’s commitment to expanding student access to affordable, on-campus housing while safeguarding the university’s long-term financial position.

B&D proudly served as development advisors on the project. Learn more about the project here.

"The leadership and information from B&D, and the clarity with which they provide it, brings added credibility to the process and ensures that a range of university stakeholders, including senior leadership and our board, are fully informed for – and confident in – their required decision making.”

B.J. Crain, Former Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration

Texas Woman’s University

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