Brigham Young University approves plans for new administration building

The facility will be built on the Provo, Utah, campus and replace the Abraham O. Smoot Building, which will be demolished.
Oct. 13, 2025

Key Highlights

  • The new building will replace the Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building, scheduled for demolition at the end of 2025.
  • The facility will house offices for admissions, housing, scholarships, legal, counseling and administrative leadership.
  • BYU employees will temporarily relocate to other campus spaces during construction.

The Brigham Young University Board of Trustees has approved plans to construct a new administration building on the Provo, Utah, campus to replace the existing Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building.

The university says the new building will house offices for BYU’s central administrative and student services, including admissions, registration, scholarships, legal, housing, communications, counseling and psychological services, employment offices and university administrative leadership.

“This new facility is a strategic investment that will help further strengthen the student experience by efficiently assisting in enrollment, housing, financial aid and other student services," said Steve Hafen, administration vice president and CFO.

The Smoot building is scheduled to be demolished at the end of 2025. Construction of the new building will commence immediately after the demolition. The project is expected to be completed and ready to occupy by fall 2028.

BYU employees and departments housed in the Smoot building began moving out this summer. They will reside in temporary spaces on campus; the majority of personnel will work at BYU East, the former Wasatch Elementary School buildings.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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