KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) has officially broken ground on a major campus project: a new 116,000-square-foot Student Success Center that will serve as a centralized hub for academic support, student engagement, and learning innovation. The new building, which is set to open in Fall 2027, is replacing the long-retired Melrose Hall, a mid-century dormitory that once housed hundreds of students.

Melrose Hall was completed in 1948 at a cost of just $1 million and was originally designed to accommodate 358 male students in single and double rooms grouped around central lounges—a novel design concept at the time. In the late 1980s, it became a residence of choice for international and graduate students, but after decades of wear and deferred maintenance, the building was officially taken out of service in 2009.

Now, UTK is turning the page with a state-of-the-art facility designed to support the university’s mission of providing a personalized and forward-thinking student experience. The Student Success Center, designed by Nashville-based Hastings Architecture and built by Hoar Construction, will cost an estimated $108 million—with $88 million allocated for construction alone.

The five-story structure (including a below-ground floor) will rise between Hess Hall and the John C. Hodges Library, placing it at the heart of campus activity. The project will also be adjacent to a new pavilion made of mass timber, a sustainable building material that will mark a first for UTK.

The center will include classrooms, testing rooms, staff offices, and student lounges, all designed to create a welcoming, centralized environment for students to access key academic and wellness services. Among its most notable features will be two 300-seat auditoriums and two 150-seat tiered classrooms, enhancing UTK’s instructional capabilities for large-format courses.

“This new facility will serve as a hub for student achievement, academic support, and community engagement,” UTK officials said. “It’s a cornerstone of our efforts to reimagine how we support every student’s unique journey.”

UTK has been gaining national attention for its commitment to student success. Just last October, the university hosted Student Success US 2024, a conference that brought together higher education professionals from more than 200 institutions nationwide to share ideas and strategies for improving student outcomes.

“This project reflects our belief that where and how students learn matters,” said a UTK representative. “The Student Success Center is designed to be both functional and inspiring, creating spaces where students feel supported, seen, and set up to thrive.”

Hoar Construction, the general contractor for the project, emphasized its focus on minimizing disruption to campus life during construction.

In a statement, the company noted: “This is our first project at UTK, and we’re committed to limiting campus disruption and prioritizing pedestrian safety during construction, through planning and logistical coordination with subcontractors.”

As construction progresses, the demolition of Melrose Hall will make way for the center's footprint, signifying not just the physical replacement of a building but a symbolic investment in the next generation of Volunteers.

Originally reported by John Caulfield in BDC Network.