A New Home for Future MVPs

 

 

UW’s new North Hall and South Hall provide modern living-learning spaces and enhanced dining.

 

By Micaela Myers

 

The largest construction project in University of Wyoming history will be completed this school year with the opening of the new North Hall dining facility and residence hall this fall and the opening of the South Hall for the spring semester. 

These new facilities provide more comfortable living accommodations, additional community and study areas, and a new dining hall — all connected to the main part of campus and designed to blend in with traditional campus architecture. 

“The units are bigger with a lot more natural light,” says Associate Vice President for Business Enterprises Eric Webb. “They feature individual heating and cooling controls that will automatically shut off if windows are left open, improving energy efficiency. The hallways are big, light and bright. There are a lot more alcoves to study in and more community spaces, including an amazing lounge space downstairs with a community kitchen and meeting and study rooms.”

In addition, the laundry rooms are located on the ground floor along with a modern mailroom. A variety of room types are available, including doubles, singles, semi-suites with private bathrooms and semi-suites with shared bathrooms.

 

While peer institutions have built a new hall every 10-20 years, UW’s last new hall was built in 1967.

“Our old halls have very simple rooms, with limited community space, low ceilings and no air conditioning,” Webb says. “They are also tower buildings, which many students are not as comfortable with.”

The old halls were not designed in traditional UW sandstone and are set away from the heart of campus.

 

The new halls are only five and six stories high and located west of 15th Street, next to Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center, and near the Wyoming Union and many other key facilities. The exterior design of the halls follows UW’s trademark Collegiate Gothic sandstone architecture. Attractive green spaces and a small amphitheater provide students with areas for outdoor events and recreation. 

North Hall’s new dining facility will replace Washakie and offer students, UW and community members nine concept platforms, including Pan Asian, Comfort, Latin, Allergen Aware and Italian, and others, all led by a new executive chef. The central bakery will also move to the new location with a window to see the baking in action, serving baked goods, coffee and sandwiches. 

North Hall will house 409 students and South Hall another 541, offering space to the majority of freshmen living on campus. In total, the new halls offer 300,000 square feet of space, with construction by JE Dunn. Funding for the two halls came from $205.8 million in bonds issued by the university, supplemented by $80 million in legislative appropriations. 

“We had a lot of support,” Webb says. “The architecture, character, detail and finish work are amazing. The legislative housing task force appointed by the governor really helped us design it and take it to this standard.”

For example, huge arched windows bathe the new dining center in natural light. A two-story art piece is also planned for the dining center, and the two new roundabouts on 15th Street will feature Wyoming-related statues. 

“The sense of excitement on campus is almost palpable as we have seen the structures take shape and exterior work progress,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “These facilities will create an amazing living and learning environment for our students.”