Pepperdine’s Mountain at Mullin Park Enters Final Phases of Construction

The Mountain at Mullin Park—Pepperdine University’s ongoing capital project, which will add both a 3,600-seat sports arena and student center to the institution’s Malibu campus—is entering its final phases of construction this summer. 

“Each week, we get closer to welcoming our students to these new state-of-the-art facilities,” said Ben Veenendaal (’02), vice president for Pepperdine’s department of Planning, Operations, and Construction. “The Mountain at Mullin Park is intentionally designed to support the vibrant community of belonging that is integral to Pepperdine, which has been successfully upheld throughout the institution's history. This summer, we’re positioned to bring the next phase of this remarkable project toward opening for all to enjoy.”

The Mountain at Mullin Park enters the final phases of construction

The student center, which will house the University’s RISE Institute, is anticipated to receive a temporary certificate of occupancy soon. Accordingly, in the next two months non-construction personnel may enter the building to outfit it with finishing touches such as furniture, fitness equipment, and any outstanding requirements necessary to be fully functional.

The RISE Institute’s new home illustrates Pepperdine’s commitment to holistic student development. Offering three floors dedicated to wellness and recreation, the student center provides the campus with a new fitness center and additional spaces for exercise classes, as well as new areas for community engagement activities. 

“Originally, the Pepperdine campus had just 2,000 square feet of fitness space in Firestone Fieldhouse,” said Veenendaal. “Now, with the Mountain, we’ll have 10,000 square feet. I’m confident the RISE building, with all of its amenities, will immediately serve as a space of development and growth for our students and broader University community.”

Meanwhile, the Mountain’s arena will soon have its competitive surface installed, as construction on the hardwood basketball and volleyball court is set to begin in the summer months. Likewise, stadium seating is scheduled to be implemented throughout May and June. These developments build upon an academic year in which great forward progress was made. Already the new indoor home of Waves athletics is outfitted with lighting, speakers, air conditioning, and kitchen equipment for its various concession and café options. 

The Mountain's arena is set to receive its competitive surface

While these structural projects move closer and closer to completion, Veenendaal reported that construction crews are turning their attention to focus on the Mountain’s exterior plaza grounds. Prior to the fall, efforts will center on pouring concrete and beautifying the space between the student center and the arena. This outdoor area will offer the University community an additional location to gather, study, and enjoy Pepperdine’s campus nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

In January of 2025, the first phase of the Mountain at Mullin Park was completed when the University opened a new parking structure. Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, Pepperdine students, staff, and faculty enjoyed the 825 additional parking spaces provided by the Mountain’s first completed and operational building. Beyond supporting the campus’s day-to-day operations, this 285,094-square-foot facility, which houses 42 electric vehicle charging spaces, will prove integral to the University’s future large-scale events such as the Worship Summit, graduations, and exciting athletic competitions. 

Learn more about the Mountain at Mullin Park.