Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Lehigh University Selects Construction Firm for $70M Building Renovation

  • By Matt Jones
  • 07/27/23

Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., recently announced that it has selected a construction and development firm for a $70-million renovation project on campus, according to local news. Skanska will spearhead the redevelopment of Clayton University Center, a two-year project that will involve revamping its facilities while also preserving historic elements and nuances of the building. Major updates are set to include upgrades to utilities and installing a fire-protection system, Lehigh Valley Business reports.

Project elements include new electrical and mechanical equipment; renovations to gathering spaces, meeting rooms, administrative space, and lounges; and replacement of doors, windows, and roofing. The work will preserve existing building features like historic millwork and wood paneling, stained-glass windows, and the stone exterior.

“Skanska is a valued partner as we undertake the renovation of this important building on Lehigh’s campus,” said Chris Cook, the university’s Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives. “With thoughtful design, we are breathing new life into the Clayton University Center, creating a fully functional space that will serve as a physical center for meaningful connections, idea exchange, and the cultivation of a strong campus community. We eagerly anticipate the transformation of this building into a vibrant hub at the heart of our campus, fostering community engagement, collaboration, and growth.”

A Skanska press release details new technologies the firm will use to ensure the full preservation of the building’s character. Laser-scanning provides a non-contact surveying method of the 100-year-old building. The captured data will be rendered in 3D and will offer the full means to analyze and visualize the structure. Skanska will also use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to plan, coordinate, and visualize as-built conditions.

“We’re proud to partner with Lehigh University and to be playing an integral role within the renovation of the historic Clayton University Center, the first building built on the University’s campus,” said Todd Lofgren, Skanska’s executive vice present and general manager of Greater Philadelphia building operations. “With our skilled and diverse workforce, we’re able to preserve the integrity of the original building while ensuring its longevity for the generations to come.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Johns Hopkins Starts Construction on New Residence Hall, Dining Facility

    The Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., recently began construction on a new residence hall and dining facility, according to university news. The work involves demolishing the existing Alumni Memorial Residence Hall I, which was built in 1923, to make room for the new facility.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • St. John Fisher University

    Classroom Revitalization – Basil Hall Room 216

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. St. John Fisher University's Basil Hall Room 216 Classroom Revitalization has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of Spaces.