University of North Carolina cuts ribbon on new business school facility

The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill has held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the nearly complete Steven D. Bell Hall, the first major on-campus expansion of the business school.

Chapelboro.com reports that Bell Hall will enable the university's Kenan-Flagler Business School to add a modern facility and admit 50% more students to its undergraduate business program. 

The university says Bell Hall will double its space for classrooms, student life and community interaction, including technologically advanced classrooms; a 40-seat outdoor tiered teaching space; a four-story inner atrium surrounded by student collaboration, dining and study areas; meeting and event spaces; dining facilities; and outdoor event spaces and terraces.

The university's goal is for the building to receive a LEED Platinum rating for its sustainable design and construction.

The North Carolina General Assembly allocated $105 million for Bell Hall; roughly $90 million was raised by private donation, including $26 million from Steven and Jackie Bell, for whom the building is named.

The ribbon cutting was called the building’s “grand opening,” but some construction is still being completed.  A spokesperson for the business school  says it will begin offering classes in early 2026 for the spring semester.

When completed, Bell Hall will provide instructional, meeting and event space, including 16 “flexible” classrooms equipped for hybrid and online teaching. 

Another key element of the building’s design: helping the business school be more visible and connected to the rest of the university campus. Bell Hall’s main entrance is off William Blythe Drive and constructed in a way to draw in more visitors than Kenan-Flagler’s prior location.