University of Illinois Research Park

Pinnacle, in partnership with the Woodbury Corporation is working with the University of Illinois Research Park to deliver new graduate student and faculty housing in summer 2028, to help strengthen the university’s ability to recruit and retain top talent. The team is working closely with University and Research Park leadership to structure a project that balanced academic priorities with financial feasibility, ensuring that the housing addressed both

affordability and quality of life. 

The development was conceived as a vital extension of the Research Park ecosystem, offering convenient, walkable living options adjacent to research facilities, startup space, and corporate partners. This proximity fosters collaboration beyond the workday, creating a community where graduate students, researchers, and faculty can live, learn, and innovate together.

Woodbury contributed its extensive experience in mixed-use and long-term campus-edge development, while Pinnacle brings expertise in public-private partnerships (P3s), financing structures, and higher education alignment. Together, the team is delivering housing that meets the university’s programmatic needs, supports the professional and personal lives of graduate students and faculty, and generates lasting monetary and community value for the University of Illinois.