DENVER, Colo. (June 16, 2026) – PCL Construction Services, Inc. joined Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), Columbia Ventures and project partners last week to celebrate the topping out of Summit House, the tallest mass timber student housing project built to date in the United States and the university's first-ever on-campus housing development.
The topping out ceremony marks the placement of the building's final structural beam and a significant milestone for the development, which will bring approximately 550 student beds to the downtown Denver campus while creating new opportunities for student connection, learning and career development.
Located on the north end of campus, Summit House has risen rapidly over the past year thanks to its innovative mass timber structural system and PCL's self-perform construction model, which allows the company to complete significant portions of the work using its own skilled craft professionals. During peak construction, crews installed approximately one floor of mass timber each week, accelerating the schedule while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
"Summit House represents the kind of innovation and collaboration that is transforming how we build," said Mauricio Ramos, vice president and district manager of PCL’s Denver Buildings division. "Thanks to the efficiency of mass timber construction and the expertise of our self-perform teams, we were able to bring this vision to life at an incredible pace. More importantly, we're helping create a landmark destination that will enhance the student experience, support future career opportunities and strengthen the connection between MSU Denver and the surrounding community."
The 12-story, 150-foot tall development features a two-story concrete podium supporting 10 floors of mass timber construction. In addition to approximately 153,000 square feet of student housing, the project includes ground-floor retail and dining space, MSU Denver administrative offices and the university's Classroom to Career Hub (C2 Hub), which connects students with career services, internships and employer partnerships. By bringing housing, learning and career preparation together in one location, Summit House is designed to support student success both during and after college.
"Today's milestone reflects the vision and commitment of everyone involved in bringing Summit House to life," said David McNabb, MSU Denver’s executive director of Housing and Resident Life. "This project will create a vibrant residential community for students while providing resources that support academic achievement, career readiness and long-term success."
Construction is expected to complete in early 2027.
About PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $9.9 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.