Morgan State Expands Student Housing to Meet Demand, More Than 300 Beds Added

MSU Board of Regents and Maryland Board of Public Works Authorize Expanded Residential Capacity to Support Continued Enrollment Growth While Enhancing Student Experience

BALTIMORE — Morgan State University is advancing one of the region’s most ambitious higher education housing expansion strategies, securing approvals for new and expanded residential lease agreements that will significantly increase housing availability for new and returning students beginning in Fall 2026. The action reinforces the University’s long-term commitment to strategically scaling its residential infrastructure alongside historic enrollment growth and rising student demand.

During the public session of its quarterly meeting on May 11, 2026, Morgan’s Board of Regents approved a new master lease agreement with Plaza1S, LLC for student housing at One Calvert Plaza, as well as an amended agreement to expand the University’s existing housing lease with Altus Towson Row Apartments. Maryland’s Board of Public Works subsequently approved both agreements during its May 20 meeting.

Collectively, the agreements will add 314 additional student beds to Morgan’s housing inventory — including 254 beds at One Calvert Plaza and 60 new beds through the University’s expanded leasing with Altus. Combined with other added beds for the fall semester, the number of housing opportunities available to students increases by approximately 2.7%.

“Morgan’s increasing enrollment reflects rising national demand for the University, and our responsibility is to ensure that our infrastructure evolves at the same pace,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “This housing expansion reflects years of intentional planning designed to support student success while positioning Morgan competitively among leading urban public research universities. We are not simply adding beds; we are building a modern residential experience that meets the expectations and needs of today’s students while preparing for the future growth of this institution.”

Morgan State has experienced five consecutive years of historic enrollment growth, prompting the University to proactively execute a phased, multi-year housing strategy focused on modernization, expansion and long-term sustainability. University officials emphasize that the institution is not responding to a housing shortage reactively but rather implementing a carefully structured plan years in the making to support continued growth through 2030.

The new One Calvert Plaza agreement represents a significant addition to Morgan’s housing portfolio. Located in downtown Baltimore at 201 E. Baltimore Street, the residential portion of the building is currently being renovated into a multi-family apartment complex deemed suitable for student housing by the University’s Office of Residence Life. The facility will primarily serve mature undergraduate and graduate students, offering expanded housing options tailored to evolving student demographics and preferences.

Morgan’s lease at One Calvert Plaza is scheduled to begin Aug. 1, 2026, with an initial three-year term and four potential three-year extension options. Transportation services between the facility and campus will be provided through a third-party shuttle operation similar to those already supporting Morgan’s affiliated off-campus housing communities.

The University also expanded its existing lease agreement with Altus Apartments, adding 60 new beds to the 356 already leased by Morgan. The amended agreement spans one year, beginning in August 2026, with an additional one-year option if needed.

“Our approach to housing expansion is grounded in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility and long-term institutional growth,” said E. David LaChina, executive vice president for Finance and Administration and chief financial officer at Morgan State. “Morgan is aggressively expanding its residential capacity while remaining disciplined about operational sustainability and market competitiveness. These agreements allow us to meet student demand, strengthen the University’s residential portfolio and continue enhancing the overall student experience without compromising sound financial stewardship.”

With the increase in inventory, Morgan will provide housing opportunities for more than 5,400 students through a combination of university-owned residence halls and university-affiliated housing leases — a model widely utilized by major urban universities nationwide. By Fall 2026, Morgan expects to house more than 46% of its total student population, substantially exceeding the national average of 29% to 30% of students for public four-year institutions.

The University’s broader residential transformation strategy has already resulted in the addition of more than 1,800 on-campus student beds and modern facilities through the opening of Thurgood Marshall Hall, Legacy Hall, Baldwin Hall, Cummings House and an off-campus master lease agreement with The Enolia apartments. These facilities feature apartment-style living, collaborative learning spaces, wellness rooms, modern dining amenities, enhanced connectivity and student support services designed to foster academic achievement and community engagement.

Future phases of Morgan’s housing modernization initiative include the completed renovation of Harper-Tubman Hall, replacement of O’Connell Hall with a new tower facility and dining hall, strategic recalibration of off-campus housing agreements and additional planned upgrades to Rawlings and Blount Towers. Once the new O’Connell Hall Tower is completed by Fall 2028 and the completely renovated Harper-Tubman Hall is available fully, Morgan anticipates a 12% increase in total housing capacity, assuming all existing inventory remains in operation.

University leaders say the ongoing investments underscore Morgan’s commitment to creating a residential experience that supports student wellness, academic success and institutional excellence while positioning the University for continued growth in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master’s degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu. 

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Media Contacts:

Larry Jones, or Dell Jackson, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022