Photo by Dan Addison
After more than three years of construction, the University of Virginia’s massive South Lawn project will open to students, faculty and staff this week.
The three-building interconnected complex — the most ambitious undertaking on UVa’s Central Grounds in more than a century — will begin to be occupied Monday, ahead of the spring academic term that starts Jan. 20.
Two of the project’s buildings — the five-floor Nau Hall and the four-story Gibson Hall — are essentially finished and ready for occupation. These buildings will house the departments of history, politics and religious studies.
The project’s third structure is a cylindrical building called the Commons. It will feature a 250-seat octagonal lecture hall, a Starbucks coffee shop and a grassy terrace that will stretch over Jefferson Park Avenue and connect with New Cabell Hall.
“This project is being referred to as the crown jewel of UVa,” said James Kelley, South Lawn project director.
Comments
From the project director? - understandable. But “the crown jewel of UVa” may be a tad early yet.
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