Full Sail University is officially getting into the dorm game, and it is doing it with some flair. The school is rolling out a new five-story student housing community called Dream Lofts, bringing roughly 180 units and 576 beds just north of University Boulevard. A dedicated pedestrian bridge will physically connect the complex to the main campus so students can cross the busy road without playing real-life Frogger with traffic.
What's planned
According to Full Sail University, Dream Lofts at Full Sail University will feature furnished one- to four-bedroom units, high-speed fiber, built-in media workspaces, collaborative lounges, a resort-style pool, a fitness center, and secure building access. The first phase will be a five-story building with 180 units and 576 beds.
The university notes that architecture firm CBA Architects and contractor DeAngelis Diamond are on the project team, and financing is being provided by Fifth Third Bank. Full Sail projects that phase one will wrap up in the first quarter of 2028 and says it will announce a groundbreaking ceremony in April. The announcement was also reported by the Orlando Business Journal.
Developer pitch
"Dream Lofts is more than housing — it’s an extension of the Full Sail University experience," Ian McCook, founder of the Terian Group, said in Full Sail University's release.
The Terian Group, which Full Sail describes as a successor to Nvision Development, will oversee development and manage day-to-day operations at the property once it opens.
Where it will rise
Local reporting and project documents show Dream Lofts will sit on land the university already owns directly across from campus. A report from GrowthSpotter, republished by the developer, notes that Full Sail controls a 13.14-acre parcel at 3209 University Boulevard that is zoned for up to 2,400 student beds. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners signed off on the first-phase plan last year.
The inaugural building will occupy only part of that larger site, leaving plenty of room for future phases, additional beds, and more amenities as the project grows over time.
Engineering, permits and timing
Civil engineering firm KPM Franklin reports that it handled land surveying, civil engineering, and permitting work for the approximately 13.1-acre site, including paving and stormwater management design.
Permits and construction documents are already in the project record, and construction management services are set to be provided by DeAngelis Diamond. Full Sail's announcement frames the development as ready to move toward a spring groundbreaking. Officials estimate phase one will be complete in early 2028, with later phases expected to add hundreds more beds.
Why it matters
For a school that has historically left students to find their own housing off campus, Dream Lofts marks a major shift in how Full Sail serves residential students and builds campus culture. The Terian Group's project site lists the community at 181 units and 576 beds, a slightly different unit count than the university's release, and confirms that the complex will be built in phases that could eventually bring thousands of beds to the area.
Local neighbors and off-campus landlords should be prepared for construction-related noise and activity as the build moves from approvals into full construction mode.
Full Sail and the Terian Group say they will announce a formal groundbreaking date and invite students, faculty, and local leaders to attend. The university's press office is listed in the release for media inquiries. Residents along University Boulevard should expect ongoing permitting activity in the months ahead as crews transition from finalized designs and approvals to active construction.
