Furman University will upgrade the South Housing area of its Greenville, S.C., campus by renovating four residence halls and replacing an existing one.
The $70 million project will replace Blackwell Hall with a $31.2 million residence hall and will renovate Manly, Geer, McGlothlin and Poteat residence halls, reports The Greenville Journal.
University officials said an evaluation of Blackwell Hall determined that it would cost more to renovate the building than to replace it.
Renovations to Manly, Geer, McGlothlin and Poteat residence halls will include safety upgrades, entrance accessibility, new bathroom layouts and fixtures, information technology improvements and new social spaces.
Once completed, the residence halls will house about 718 students.
In addition to the residence hall upgrades, the university is also relocating its Center for Inclusive Communities (CIC) from the Trone Student Center into the new residence hall.
The new hall will offer students more opportunities to gather while also creating opportunities for faculty and staff to visit South Housing, according to a university news release.
It will include reception and office spaces, a kitchenette, meeting and lounge spaces and support services, and provide the entire campus easy access to the CIC.
The new student housing will be completed by 2023; Poteat and McGlothlin renovations will be completed by December 2023; and Manly and Geer renovation will be complete by August 2024.
Mackey Mitchell Architects is the architect and Rodgers Builders is the construction manager.
