Transit-oriented urban infill student housing opens next to USC campus
Tessera, a transit-oriented urban infill student housing project adjacent to the University of Southern California campus, recently opened. The $56 million, seven-story building features 53 residential units and about 250 beds ranging from fully furnished studio to four-bedroom floor plans.
Located less than half a block from USC and directly across from the Expo/Vermont Metro E Line station, the project was developed by Mosaic Investment Partners, the development affiliate of Mosaic Student Communities.
Tessera enhances neighborhood connectivity through a landscaped pedestrian paseo that links Exposition Boulevard to the residential areas west of campus.
Each unit has private bedrooms, shared living areas, in-unit laundry, stainless steel appliances, individual climate control, and select private balconies—balancing privacy with community.
Amenities are highlighted by an expansive 6,000 sf rooftop sky deck that serves as the social and visual centerpiece of the building. The rooftop features a resort-style pool elevated on a structural deck, open-air dining areas, lounge spaces, a dedicated pet park, and custom fire pits framed by elegantly curved built-in seating oriented to capture panoramic views of Downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the adjacent George Lucas Museum.
A second-floor amenity deck further activates the building with BBQ areas, outdoor lounges, and an indoor-outdoor fitness center with roll-up glass garage doors, blurring the line between interior and exterior space.
Indoor amenities include study group rooms on various floors and a Parisian café–inspired boutique study lounge tucked away in the subterranean level.
“Tessera represents a defining milestone for our firm,” said George Alva, co-founder of Mosaic Investment Partners. “We set out to create more than student housing—we envisioned a thoughtfully designed, community-centered environment that supports academic success, fosters community, and reflects the energy of the USC neighborhood.”
Owner and/or developer: Mosaic Investment Partners and HC2 Capital
Design architect: Sorensen Architects (interiors and amenities)
Architect of record: SVA Architects
MEP engineer: WSP (formerly TK1SC)
Structural engineer: WSP (formerly ENGLEKIRK)
General contractor/construction manager: Alpha Construction
