BirdDog celebrates groundbreaking of its first project, a 755-bed student housing development near University of Mississippi
The leadership team behind Baker Barrios Architects, a leading national multidisciplinary design firm, has announced the formation of a new company – BirdDog Development Partners. Led by Baker Barrios CEO Tim Baker and Chief Strategy Officer John Slavens, both serving as managing partners for BirdDog Development Partners, the firm offers comprehensive development management services from conception through completion, including site selection, design, planning, budgeting, construction and operations.
The first project from BirdDog Development Partners is a 755-bed, 243-unit student housing complex in Oxford, Miss., that recently broke ground less than a 15-minute walk from the University of Mississippi. Not yet named, the project was developed in partnership with Development Ventures Group, Christa Development and Kayne Anderson Real Estate.
“In our 30-plus years as architects and designers, we’ve forged valuable relationships with industry leaders across many markets and regions,” said Baker. “We saw an opportunity to take that collective knowledge and those connections to create a company that helps developers and municipalities maximize the integration of every aspect of developing real estate, whether that’s medical office, student housing, multifamily or mixed-use. The BirdDog team focuses on bringing the right people and parcels together to create the right projects in the right places, adding value to communities and creating strong returns for investors.”
The first large-scale student housing development to be built within a mile of Ole Miss in nearly a decade, the 370,000-square-foot development will include a mix of housing types, multiple amenities to support academic and active lifestyles, and a 3,000-square-foot event venue.
“This project really exemplifies the future of student housing,” noted Slavens. “Dormitory living of the past is no longer an attractive option for most students. Rather, they are looking for a lifestyle experience, which this master-planned complex will certainly deliver. It also comes at a time when the university, like most around the country, is experiencing a significant student housing shortage. First year enrollments have nearly doubled at Ole Miss since 2020, and these 750-plus beds will help meet the demand for housing.”
The first phase of the development is expected to deliver for fall semester of 2027. Montgomery Martin Contractors is serving as the general contractor with architectural and master-planning services provided by Baker Barrios. Construction financing was provided by BMO Bank.
For more information on BirdDog Development Partners, visit www.birddogdevpartners.com.
About Bird Dog Development Partners:
BirdDog Development Partners was founded on the convergence of rigorous process, innovative architectural design and meaningful relationships. Involved at every stage of development—from initial concept to final execution—the firm ensures that each project meets exacting standards of quality and efficiency. Focus markets include student housing, medical office, mixed-use and multifamily.
About Baker Barrios Architects:
Baker Barrios Architects was established in 1993, founded on the belief in creative excellence, innovative solutions and long-term relationships. Today, the firm has offices in Orlando, Fla.; Tampa, Fla.; Nashville; Chicago; Miami and Boston. Baker Barrios tells its clients’ stories through placemaking and creative design, maintaining a high level of involvement through a project’s completion to ensure the owner’s objectives are met, and the integrity of design is upheld even after occupancy. The staff of highly trained professionals is experienced in a variety of assignments for developers, corporations, health care providers, religious organizations, state and local agencies, and colleges and universities, providing full-service planning, architecture, interior design and landscape architecture services.
The leadership team behind Baker Barrios Architects, a leading national multidisciplinary design firm, has announced the formation of a new company – BirdDog Development Partners. The new firm offers comprehensive development management services including site selection, design, planning, budgeting, construction and operations, from conception through completion. The first project from BirdDog Development Partners is the new 755-bed, 243-unit student housing complex in Oxford, Miss., that recently broke ground less than a 15-minute walk from the University of Mississippi.