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University of Mary Washington Selects Builder for New Theater, Dance Facility

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/08/26

The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., recently announced that it has selected construction and development firm Skanska to lead a series of renovations and upgrades to fine arts facilities, according to a news release.

The centerpiece of the project is the new construction of a 68,230-square-foot theater featuring a 293-seat performance hall; it also encompasses about 82,000 square feet of renovations to existing fine arts buildings and an almost 9,000-sqaure-foot addition, the release reports.

“We're proud to begin our partnership with the University of Mary Washington by helping to bring these important and improved facilities to life for the students and faculty who will use them for years to come,” said Mark Balling, executive vice president of Skanska’s Mid-Atlantic building operations. “Active construction takes careful sequencing, and our team’s deep expertise will allow us to deliver all portions of the project without interrupting the campus community.”

The various site improvements to existing buildings include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and life-safety system upgrades, as well as upgrades to building circulation, acoustic isolation, and art studio exhaust safety. Other work will include new arrival and drop-off spaces, new outdoor academic and program spaces, accessibility improvements for both vehicle access and pedestrians, and new service areas, the news release reports.

According to the university website, the full scope of the project has an estimated budget of $163 million coming from funds awarded in the 2022–23 state budget.

About the Author

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

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