East Carolina University Selects Architect for $60M Residence Hall Renovations

East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., recently announced that it has selected the KWK/Jenkins Peer Architects (JPA) team, collaborating with INTREPID Architecture, to design renovations for two of its residence halls, according to a news release. The goal of the $60-million project is to offer more modern amenities, accessibility, and a better use of space for Jones Hall (built in 1958) and Legacy Hall (built in 1960).

The news release reports that Jones Hall has room for about 430 students and houses the university’s Campus Living offices. Legacy Hall has room for about 470 students and is the only residence hall on campus that is not ADA-compliant. Construction on Legacy Hall will begin in May 2025 and finish by July 2026. Construction on Jones Hall has an expected start date of May 2026 and completion date of July 2027.

Legacy Hall exterior
Image Courtesy of KWK Architects

The work includes replacing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in both halls; updating windows and roofs; installing private facilities in hall bathrooms; creating an ADA-compliant, ground-floor entrance to Legacy Hall; adding public lounge space and an elevator to Legacy Hall; and building the green space around both halls.

“The Legacy work will include the addition of a two-story mezzanine room to reinforce a contemporary sense of place and provide a welcoming space for students, in addition to incorporating access to a new elevator for all floors,” said Javier Esteban, KWK Architects Principal. “The renovation of both halls will also include updated, individual bathrooms that allow complete privacy for the students, and at the same time far exceeds ADA requirements.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Missouri K–12 District Cuts Ribbons on Two New Middle Schools

    Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Mo., recently celebrated the completion of two new middle school facilities with ribbon-cutting ceremonies, according to a district news release. The district officially opened the new Pipkin Middle School and Reed Academy on Sept. 3, both of which were funded through the $220-million Proposition S bond program approved by voters in 2023.

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • TCU Marks Campus Expansion Milestone

    Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, recently held a topping-out ceremony to mark progress on a major campus expansion effort including four new residential facilities and a five-story parking garage, according to a news release.

  • Q&A: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires in Commercial Kitchens

    School cafeterias and university dining halls serve thousands of meals daily, relying on high-heat equipment like fryers, grills, and ovens. While these operations keep students fed, they also generate significant grease-laden vapors. Without proper controls, this grease becomes a silent fire threat. As a certified exhaust cleaning specialist and business coach who has helped hundreds of institutional facilities achieve NFPA 96 compliance, I emphasize that proactive grease management isn’t optional; it’s a core fire/life safety practice.