VCU plans to spend $7 million to renovate its Broad and Belvidere Student Housing Complex, which hasn’t been updated substantially since it was built in 2003. (Jack Jacobs photo)
With the Broad and Belvidere Student Housing Complex now as old as the typical college freshman, VCU has decided it’s time for a makeover.
VCU plans to spend $7 million to renovate the four-story, 410-bed dormitory at 700 W. Broad St. The complex hasn’t undergone any major renovations since it was built in 2003, VCU spokesman Mike Porter said in an email.
“The university is addressing nearly 18 years of normal aging and wear with a complete interior renovation of the residential units and common areas to bring it back to a condition that is parallel with other residential housing on the VCU campus,” Porter said.
The project will overhaul all units in the apartment-style complex. HVAC systems, water heaters, lighting, and other fixtures will be replaced and rooms repainted. The complex’s common areas will be touched up as well.
The contractor on the project is VIRTEXCO Corp. The project architect is Walter Parks Architects. The complex is owned by VCU Real Estate Foundation.
The renovation is scheduled to be completed in summer 2021, in time for students to move in for the fall 2021 semester.
The project was originally planned to start last summer. Though four units were renovated at that time, the bulk of the project got shelved due to the coronavirus pandemic, Porter said.
VCU also this month cut the ribbon on a $93 million engineering school research building and added to its holdings with the $4.5 million purchase of the Salvation Army property at 2601 Hermitage Road near the Diamond to help pave the way for a new athletics village.
VCU plans to spend $7 million to renovate its Broad and Belvidere Student Housing Complex, which hasn’t been updated substantially since it was built in 2003. (Jack Jacobs photo)
With the Broad and Belvidere Student Housing Complex now as old as the typical college freshman, VCU has decided it’s time for a makeover.
VCU plans to spend $7 million to renovate the four-story, 410-bed dormitory at 700 W. Broad St. The complex hasn’t undergone any major renovations since it was built in 2003, VCU spokesman Mike Porter said in an email.
“The university is addressing nearly 18 years of normal aging and wear with a complete interior renovation of the residential units and common areas to bring it back to a condition that is parallel with other residential housing on the VCU campus,” Porter said.
The project will overhaul all units in the apartment-style complex. HVAC systems, water heaters, lighting, and other fixtures will be replaced and rooms repainted. The complex’s common areas will be touched up as well.
The contractor on the project is VIRTEXCO Corp. The project architect is Walter Parks Architects. The complex is owned by VCU Real Estate Foundation.
The renovation is scheduled to be completed in summer 2021, in time for students to move in for the fall 2021 semester.
The project was originally planned to start last summer. Though four units were renovated at that time, the bulk of the project got shelved due to the coronavirus pandemic, Porter said.
VCU also this month cut the ribbon on a $93 million engineering school research building and added to its holdings with the $4.5 million purchase of the Salvation Army property at 2601 Hermitage Road near the Diamond to help pave the way for a new athletics village.
Student apartments and dorms need renovations on or about every 15th year. They are tough on buildings. VCU’s continued expansion has breathed life into this City through all the economic crises. EDA pundits claim that for every new student the economy expands into 7 private sector new jobs. I’m not sure how that is calculated but I guess it has to do with velocity of money. At any rate, we’re blessed to have a large and dynamic public University downtown.
VCU should build a 20 story tower here for housing.