Seton Hall University is building a new Welcome Center at the main entrance of its South Orange, N.J., campus.
Work on the building began last year and is expected to be completed by January 2018. The multipurpose space will accommodate campus event programming and serve as a site for admissions activities to provide a welcoming first impression for campus tours and prospective students.
The university says the center will consist of 68,222 square feet over three levels. The first floor will contain an admissions suite, event rooms, lobby and pre-function/gallery space.
The second floor will feature a space for admissions, two meeting rooms, and additional seating for the event rooms. The third level will contain mechanical and storage space. A 50-space parking garage will be situated underneath the building.
The university says the design of the center conveys a tradition of academic excellence, Catholic heritage and university history.
Materials for the exterior of the building were selected to connect to the historic nature of the Seton Hall campus and to reflect continuity with Stafford Hall and President's Hall. The design incorporates varied red stone, slate roofs and copper trim. A standout feature of the design is a copper roof and new cross at the steeple over the main entrance.
The main event space can be divided to accommodate multiple events. The rooms will accommodate 200 to 750 people lecture-style or 500 seated at tables depending on the configuration. The center also will have a catering kitchen to support event functions.
