The university’s Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics will build housing for researchers and visiting graduate fellows
[Note: Hayes Commercial Group represented both buyer and seller in the off-market transaction. Francois DeJohn represented UCSB, while Dylan Ward and Rob Adams represented Friendship Manor.]
UC Santa Barbara has purchased the empty lot at the corner of El Colegio Road and Camino Pescadero in Isla Vista to build housing for graduate students, postdocs and researchers.
UCSB’s Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics will design, build and furnish the facility to house 15 to 20 KITP postdoctoral researchers, up to 12 visiting graduate fellows and 10 to 14 researchers-in-residence, according to UCSB spokeswoman Kiki Reyes.
“In the landscape of postdoc positions across the world, very few places also offer housing arrangements that assist in establishing a lasting intellectual community,” KITP Director and Gluck Professor of Theoretical Physics Lars Bildsten said in a statement. “So, for our recruitment, mentoring and career launching of postdocs, this will make a huge difference.”
The university was gifted $7 million to purchase the 1.2-acre parcel across the street from the Charles T. Munger Physics Residence, according to Reyes. The site was purchased from Friendship Manor, a retirement community at 6647 El Colegio Road in Isla Vista.
Friendship Manor residents had been using the site for parking, smoking and playing horseshoes. The Friendship Manor Board of Directors sent a letter to residents in March saying that the university approached them about purchasing the property last year. After several rounds of negotiations, they accepted the university’s offer.
“Ultimately, it became clear that the benefit of the sale to Friendship Manor’s financial reserves far exceeded the benefit of our use of the field,” Chuck Curtis, president of the board of directors, wrote to residents in the letter. “Strong financial reserves are crucial to Friendship Manor as we continue to maintain our aging 58-year-old buildings and grounds and provide you with the quality of life you’ve come to expect as residents of Friendship Manor.”
KITP worked with a nonprofit foundation and donors to fund the site purchase and housing design, construction and furnishings. Reyes said that will allow the university to keep monthly rents at or below market rates, while providing funds to operate and maintain the facility long term.
ZGF Architects’ Los Angeles office will be designing the facility, including outdoor space for private use and for social activities for residents.
The new buildings will be across the street from Munger Physics Residence, a 75,000-square-foot, $65 million facility funded by Charles T. Munger in 2014 to house most of KITP’s visiting scholars.
“The Charles T. Munger Physics Residence, generously funded by Charlie Munger, has been a tremendous benefit to KITP and to thousands of scientists from around the world,” UCSB Chancellor Henry Yang said in a statement. “Providing more dedicated workforce housing that matches the quality of the Munger Residence will enhance KITP’s ability to attract the best scientists from around the world and make KITP the preeminent international center for advancing theory in science.”
Friendship Manor residents will be allowed to continue to use the property for parking until construction begins.
Reyes said construction is projected to begin in 2026, with a planned opening date in mid-2027.