A project to increase dormitory space by 814 new beds on the University of Hawai'i-Manoa campus could cost as much as $43.5 million, the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents was told yesterday.

That is in line with previous estimates but surprised some regents who said the new dorm designs were too "luxurious" for a student residence hall.

The new dorms will replace Frear Hall with two 12-story towers configured in the shape of a Z by a connecting bridge. The initial conceptual design includes plans for a fitness center, an outdoor gathering place, a computer center, an open-air lobby and athletic courts.

Representatives from American Campus Communities, a private Texas-based student housing developer, gave regents their first glimpse at conceptual drawings and plans for the first new dorms on the Manoa campus since 1978. The firm was selected by regents in July to develop and manage new dormitories on the Manoa campus.

The new dorm concept is dramatically different from the existing "dungeon-like dorms," said Jason Wills, senior vice president of American Campus Communities. But they will also be more expensive to rent.

Tentatively, students can expect to pay $4,250 to $6,990 per year for the new dorm space, Wills said. Currently, dorm students pay $2,817 to $5,427 a year for housing.

Wills estimated that the new dorms will bring in $6.57 million a year.

The board did not need to approve the plans, but some regents did warn the UH-Manoa administration to proceed cautiously, since more dorm construction projects lie ahead.

"We wanted to make sure the project was marketable and offered the university an opportunity to increase the recruitment and retainment of students," Wills told regents yesterday.

He said dorms are one of the main things that prospective students consider when choosing a college.

The new dorms would give students four room configuration options — shared (two per room) two-bedroom, one bath; private (one per room) four-bedroom, one bath; private two-bedroom, one bath; and a one-bedroom, one-bath unit, Wills said.

All plans are conceptual and have not been finalized, he said.

"These new dorms will give more of our students access to quality housing," said Denise Konan, Manoa interim chancellor.

Konan said she was pleased with the progress the company has made, especially since it has enlisted the input of students, university stakeholders and surrounding neighborhoods in developing their designs.

But not everyone was pleased with the dorm plans.

"It's over-the-top," said regent Jane Tatibouet. "I stand on my concern that this is a far more luxurious dormitory than what is needed at UH-Manoa."

Regents also were concerned with the $43.5 million estimated price. Wills assured regents that the buildings have optional features that could be excluded to lower the cost.

Many price estimates have been floated for the past two years, said Jan Yokota, the university's director of capital improvements. At one point construction was estimated to cost anywhere between $35 million and $45 million, she said.

The cost of construction will be covered by $25 million in general obligation bonds. Whatever portion of the cost is left over will come out of $100 million in revenue bonds, Yokota said.

Other regents were concerned that the building plans were too complicated to be completed by the August 2008 deadline. However, Wills assured the board that the company could complete the project in the timeline given.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.