James Madison University: D-Hall Dining Facilities

The new D-Hall dining facility on the campus of James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA, officially opened fall semester of 2018. Designed by Moseley Architects in association with Tipton Associates, the contemporary, three-story, 101,000-square-foot building replaces the removed Gibbons Hall which originally sat in its place. Skanska was the contractor for the project.

James Madison University D-Hall Dining Facilities 

Photos courtesy Skanska USA

The name of the new dining hall pays homage to the former which was known on campus as D-Hall, built in the mid-1960s. This new dining hall reflects James Madison’s high level of commitment to providing its students with exceptional campus food and facilities. Offering additional seating and entrances directly from the campus commons, the dining facility serves as the centerpiece of one of the most highly regarded college food service programs in the country. James Madison was listed 10th in the nation in the 2018 Best College Food in America rankings by Niche.com.

James Madison University D-Hall Dining Facilities 

Photos courtesy Skanska USA

With a total occupancy load of just over 3,000, the facility includes a kitchen, scullery, serving area, indoor and outdoor seating facilities, associated offices and administrative areas, loading dock and storage facilities, public restrooms, staff locker and shower facilities, and custodial and utility spaces. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification.

James Madison University D-Hall Dining Facilities 

Photos courtesy Skanska USA

The first floor houses national restaurant brands such as Chickfil-A®, previously available on campus, and new-to-JMU options including Qdoba, Steak ’n Shake, and Freshens Food Studio. Steak ’n Shake even has a walk-up window for extended hours.

James Madison University D-Hall Dining Facilities 

Photos courtesy Skanska USA

The second floor, with a central back-of-house support core area for the foodservice platforms, features an all-you-can-eat buffet in a larger, more open environment with expanded menu options. It has balconies with outdoor seating. The third floor features banquet space.

James Madison University D-Hall Dining Facilities 

Photos courtesy Skanska USA

Additionally, outdoor dining at the main and lower levels is provided to serve both residential and retail dining areas.

This article originally appeared in the November/December 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • Different Starting Points, Same End Goal

    Higher education campuses can enhance student experience by implementing mobile credentials to streamline building access, on-campus payments, and access to other amenities. This enables students to connect to their campuses through the technology they use most: their mobile devices.

  • T&T Construction Management Group Completes Pasco High School Expansion

    Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla., recently announced that it has completed an expansion project in partnership with T&T Construction Management Group, Inc., Harvard Jolly Architecture, and Williams Company.

  • classroom with crystal ball on top of a desk

    Call for Opinions: Spaces4Learning 2026 Predictions for Educational Facilities

    As 2025 winds to a close, the Spaces4Learning staff is asking its readers—school administrators, architects, engineers, facilities managers, builders, superintendents, designers, vendors, and more—to send us their predictions for educational facilities in 2026.

Digital Edition