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

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • New Arizona Fine Arts School Reaches Construction Milestone

    Construction of the new Hilltop School for the Arts and Theater in Litchfield Park, Ariz., recently hit a significant milestone, according to a news release. The Agua Fria High School District held a beam-signing ceremony to celebrate the building’s topping out, or the placement of its last structural beam.

  • Construction Begins on New University Research Vessel

    Boat-building company All American Marine recently announced that it has begun construction on a new catamaran research vessel for the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) in Port Aransas, Texas, according to a news release.