How many people share a bathroom in the Middle Earth Towers?

Rooms are paired, with each pair sharing one bathroom, across five mixed-gender floors. For 2026-27 UCI states all tower rooms are assigned as quads, so a shared bathroom typically serves two quad rooms.

When did the Middle Earth Towers open?

Laurelin and Telperion opened in fall 2019 as part of a $130 million housing expansion that UCI News reported was on track for LEED Platinum certification.

Do the towers have air conditioning since they're newer construction?

No. UCI Student Housing lists "No air conditioning available" for both the Classic Halls and the Tower at Middle Earth.

Irvine, CA · Home of the Anteaters

Middle Earth Towers Dorm Checklist 2026

UC Irvine

For 2026-27 UCI states all residence hall tower rooms are assigned as quads (~250 sq ft per room), paired to share a bathroom; 640 total spaces across 5 mixed-gender floors

Verified Aug 18, 2026 · housing.uci.edu

Middle Earth's Laurelin-Telperion Tower holds 640 total spaces. UCI News reports the twin towers added about 500 beds when they opened in fall 2019 as part of a $130 million, roughly 215,000 sq ft expansion, with an Elvish inscription over the entrance translating to "Speak friend and enter."

Bed SizeTwin XL · 39"×85"×36" frame
Under-BedNot published, height varies
ACNo
On-Campus2-Year Freshman Guarantee (deadlines apply)

✓ In the room

Twin XL bed and mattress on a 39"w x 85"d x 36"h framedesk 44"w x 24"d x 30"h with hutch 42"w x 9"d x 34"hwardrobe 36"w x 24"d x 76"hstudy space on every floorlaundry on each floorWellinghall Study Pavilionclassroom spacedining hall accessfitness and recreation center. UCI notes furniture sizes and layouts may vary.

✗ Not provided

Beddingpillowstowelsdesk lampin-room mini-fridge (optionalUL-approved4.3 cu ft max)fan

⊘ Prohibited

Candles/incense/open flames and candle warmersheaters and sun lampsstandalone in-room microwaveselectrical cooking appliances outside the hall kitchendry-erase or cork boards on doorsdaisy-chained power strips

No air conditioning is available in the Middle Earth tower — housing.uci.edu states "No air conditioning available" for the tower as well as the classic halls.
Elevator access, availability, size and floor access vary by building; UCI advises staying within cart/people limits per elevator and taking the stairs after unloading during peak move-in.

Living in Middle Earth Towers: what to know before you pack

The room

Laurelin and Telperion are five-level towers holding 640 total spaces in room pairs that share a bathroom — more privacy than the classic-hall suite model, but still not a private bath. For 2026-27 UCI states that all rooms in the residence hall towers are assigned as quads, roughly 250 sq ft per room. Furniture matches the campus-wide spec, a 39"w x 85"d x 36"h bed frame with a Twin XL mattress, and the towers get a wider 44-inch desk plus a taller 42"w x 9"d x 34"h hutch than the classic halls. UCI publishes that 36-inch figure as overall bed height rather than under-bed clearance, so if you're planning storage bins that fit beneath the frame, confirm the usable clearance with Residence Life first.

Day to day

The towers sit atop a mixed-use podium that includes the Wellinghall Study Pavilion, a dining hall, classroom and multipurpose space, and a fitness and recreation center — part of a $130 million expansion that UCI News reported was on track for LEED Platinum certification, exceeding California's energy code by more than 34 percent through solar panels, LED lighting, natural ventilation and vegetative roofs. Study space and laundry sit on every floor, and smaller group study spaces on the second floor can be keyed out from the Middle Earth Housing Office. Mixed-gender floors and newer building stock give the towers a more apartment-adjacent feel than the classic halls, while staying part of the same first- and second-year-heavy community.

Move-in day

Move-in for the Middle Earth Towers runs September 19-20, 2026, alongside the rest of the residence halls, with the same 30-minute arrival-window sign-up after your early-September assignment email. With five floors of mixed-gender housing, expect elevator queues at peak arrival hours; UCI asks residents to keep elevator entrances and hallways clear, stay within the recommended number of carts and people per elevator, and take the stairs after unloading. Renters insurance and the attestation form must be complete before check-in.

A styled dorm desk, furnished and shoppable

Room ideas

See dorm rooms styled

4 looks, every object linked to the exact listing.

Styled render — not a photo of Middle Earth Towers.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Aug 18, 2026

Middle Earth Towers FAQ

How many people share a bathroom in the Middle Earth Towers?: Rooms are paired, with each pair sharing one bathroom, across five mixed-gender floors. For 2026-27 UCI states all tower rooms are assigned as quads, so a shared bathroom typically serves two quad rooms.
When did the Middle Earth Towers open?: Laurelin and Telperion opened in fall 2019 as part of a $130 million housing expansion that UCI News reported was on track for LEED Platinum certification.
Do the towers have air conditioning since they're newer construction?: No. UCI Student Housing lists "No air conditioning available" for both the Classic Halls and the Tower at Middle Earth.
Is Middle Earth Towers a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Middle Earth Towers has Twin XL · 39"×85"×36" frame beds with Not published, height varies of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. UC Irvine provides Twin XL bed and mattress on a 39"w x 85"d x 36"h frame, desk 44"w x 24"d x 30"h with hutch 42"w x 9"d x 34"h, wardrobe 36"w x 24"d x 76"h, study space on every floor, laundry on each floor, Wellinghall Study Pavilion, classroom space, dining hall access, fitness and recreation center. UCI notes furniture sizes and layouts may vary. in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Middle Earth Towers stacks up against UC Irvine's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Middle Earth Towers Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Middle Earth Towers: it has Twin XL · 39"×85"×36" frame beds with Not published, height varies of under-bed clearance, and there's no AC, so plan around that. On top of that, the room comes with Twin XL bed and mattress on a 39"w x 85"d x 36"h frame, desk 44"w x 24"d x 30"h with hutch 42"w x 9"d x 34"h, wardrobe 36"w x 24"d x 76"h, study space on every floor, laundry on each floor, Wellinghall Study Pavilion, classroom space, dining hall access, fitness and recreation center. UCI notes furniture sizes and layouts may vary.; you'll need to bring Bedding, pillows, towels, desk lamp, in-room mini-fridge (optional, UL-approved, 4.3 cu ft max), fan yourself; Candles/incense/open flames and candle warmers, heaters and sun lamps, standalone in-room microwaves, electrical cooking appliances outside the hall kitchen, dry-erase or cork boards on doors, daisy-chained power strips isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see UC Irvine’s other halls below.

More UC Irvine halls

Each hall has its own verified checklist — pick yours for room-specific dimensions and packing lists.

← All UC Irvine halls

Middle Earth Towers Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Middle Earth Towers: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See dorm rooms styled

Everything for your Middle Earth Towers room

Fan — pack first

Bedding

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Middle Earth Towers FAQ

Thinking About Living in Middle Earth Towers Next Year?

More UC Irvine halls