A universal housing for a centrifugal gas compressor is disclosed. The universal housing includes a body, a suction port extending from the body, a discharge port extending from the body, and a first compartment within the body. The first compartment includes a suction inlet in flow communication with the suction port and a discharge outlet in flow communication with the discharge port. The first compartment is configured to receive more than one staging length for the staging. The staging inlet is in flow communication with the suction inlet and the staging outlet is in flow communication with the discharge outlet.