Virginia Commonwealth University to Build New Honors Dorms

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., recently moved forward with plans to build a new residence hall for honors students.

Local news reports that a vacant building adjacent to its campus has been demolished in preparation for the construction. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2024 and finish by fall 2026, according to Meredith Weiss, VCU Vice President for Administration.

According to local news, the project is a direct response to an increased demand for more on-campus housing. The facility will also feature amenities like office space, teaching space, collaborative areas and an event space for the Honors College. The dorm’s exact capacity is still in the planning stages, but it will hold more students than the current honors residence hall, which has 177 beds. The VCU website reports that about 700+ beds are anticipated.

The new dorm’s construction is part of the university’s Six-Year Capital Plan, which encompasses multiple construction projects around campus. Also planned are a new Arts and Innovation Academic Building and a new IT Center.

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.

  • Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

    The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.