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Alderman Road Replacement Project

Last update: April 10, 2013

Housing & Residence Life embarked on a building project in 2006 that will take place in four phases, spanning through 2015. This project includes the removal and replacement of all the residence halls in the Alderman Road Residence Area that were built in the 1960s. Woody and Cauthen Houses will remain. The first phase, construction of Kellogg House, was completed in August 2008. Construction of Phase II buildings Balz-Dobie, Watson-Webb and Ern Commons was completed in August 2011. Phase III and IVa buildings will be ready for occupancy in August 2013, and the final phase (Phase IVb) will be completed in the summer of 2015.

[Artist's rendering of Phase 2 buildings]


The new student housing offers modern amenities and fosters intimate, secure, close-knit communities, while accommodating growing numbers of students. The first floor of each building provides multi-purpose gathering spaces, laundry, study/lounge rooms, and other general use areas such as mail service and classroom space. Residential floors above each provide bedrooms for First Year students, two communal bathrooms, a central lounge and quiet study spaces.

Master planning of the site supports the University's sustainability goals and promotes responsible stewardship of the land with prudent integration of key planning objectives. These include respecting the environment and the regional context, promoting connectivity and enhancing multi-disciplinary discourse. An on-site student pavilion provides a flexible, central gathering venue for First Year students and others from across Grounds.

For additional information, see the Project FAQ.

Phase I (Kellogg House):

[Kellogg House photo]
  • Construction began Summer 2006, opened in August 2008
  • Kellogg House is five stories, houses 192 First Year students and 9 Resident Staff members
  • Named after Robert L. Kellogg: U.Va. English professor from 1957 to 1999, former dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and founding principal of Brown College
  • Schematic design and bridging documents prepared by Ayers/Saint/Gross Architects + Planners. Design-build team: W.M. Jordan Company and Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering
  • Photos of the completed building
  • Building floor plans: First floor, Residential floors


Phase II (Balz-Dobie, Watson-Webb and Ern Commons):

Alderman Road Phase 2
  • Construction began with demolition of Dobie, Balz and Watson Houses during Summer 2009
  • Two six-story residence halls were completed in August 2011. The names are a combination of names of demolished residence halls in the area.
  • Balz-Dobie houses 220 First Year students and 11 Resident Staff members; Watson-Webb houses 200 First Years and 11 Resident Staff
  • Ern Commons, named after Ernest H. Ern (former VP of Student Affairs), is a one-story, multi-purpose building completed in October 2011.
  • Schematic design and bridging documents prepared by Ayers/Saint/Gross Architects + Planners. Design-build team: W.M. Jordan Company and Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering
  • Photos of the completed buildings

Building floor plans (click on an image to see a larger version):

[Balz-Dobie Ground Floor]
Ground Floor, Balz-Dobie 		[Balz-Dobie Typical Residential Floor]
Residential Floor, Balz-Dobie 		[Watson-Webb Ground Floor]
Ground Floor, Watson-Webb 		[Watson-Webb Typical Residential Floor]
Residential Floor, Watson-Webb


Phases III and IVa (Lile-Maupin, Tuttle-Dunnington and Shannon House):

[Aerial view of phase 3 buildings]
  • Construction began with demolition of Webb, Maupin, Lile and Tuttle Houses during Summer 2011
  • Completion scheduled for Summer 2013
  • Phase III consists of two five-story residence halls: Lile-Maupin and Tuttle-Dunnington will each house 176 First Year students and 9 Resident Staff members
  • Phase IVa consists of a third five-story residence hall known as Shannon House, housing 192 First Year students and 9 Resident Staff members
  • Shannon House is named in honor of Edgar F. Shannon Jr., president of the University from 1959 to 1974.
  • Schematic design and bridging documents prepared by Ayers/Saint/Gross Architects + Planners. Design-build team: W.M. Jordan Company and Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering
  • Building floor plans: Lile-Maupin and Tuttle-Dunnington, Shannon

Phase IVb:

[Map of building 6]

  • Construction will begin with demolition of Dunnington during Summer 2013
  • Completion scheduled for Summer 2015
  • One five-story residence hall known as Building 6 will house 204 First Year students and 9 Resident Staff
  • Will also include a two-story wing to accommodate the Housing & Residence Life offices
  • Full design and construction documents completed by EYP Architecture & Planning. Donley's, Inc. is the construction management firm.
  • Building floor plans: First floor, Second floor, Upper residential floors
  • Dunglison and Courtenay will be demolished after the opening of Building 6


[Artist's Rendering of building 6]

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If you have questions about the Alderman Road project, please send us email.