Renovations to Garrett Hall will begin today and be completed within the next 20 months, said Joseph Lahendro, a historic preservation architect working with Facilities Management.
The bulk of the changes will be extensive interior reconstruction and restoration of the building's 16,000 square feet historic section, Lahendro added.
The building, which formerly housed College administrative officials, will be "rehabilitated" for the Batten School, which is currently located in Varsity Hall, Lahendro said. The interior structure of Garrett Hall will be completely overhauled to facilitate these changes, so that by the time the renovations are complete, the building will include lounges, break rooms, offices and conference rooms. The historic Great Hall will be restored to include space that has been blocked off for almost 50 years, transforming it into a multi-purpose room with work tables and lounge areas. As a result of these changes, the hall will be able to accommodate the needs of the University's newest school, Lahendro said.
A Great Hall mezzanine, constructed in the 1950s, will be removed and a restored fireplace will return, he added.
Batten School Dean Harry Harding said moving to Garrett Hall will help the school to expand. "We have a beautiful space in Varsity Hall but we're already outgrowing it," Harding said.
Batten School Assoc. Dean Eric Patashnik said the school expects to launch a two-year master of public policy program in fall 2011 that will increase the enrollment of the Batten School by about 150 students per year.
The inside of Garrett Hall is not the only aspect of the building getting a makeover. Compared to such significant interior restorations, however, exterior changes will be minimal, University landscape architect Mary Hughes said. Outside, workers will focus mainly on the removal of two magnolia trees at the entrance of Garrett Hall.
"Unfortunately, southern magnolia trees are not the right trees for a confined site," Hughes noted, adding that smaller crape myrtle trees will be planted in their place. Additionally, the renovations will include the creation of an outdoor terrace area on top of Garrett Hall's annex that will include a garden and sitting area, Hughes said.
"From the exterior, it will be the most noticeable benefit of the project to the University community," she added.
The first phase of the project - removal of the magnolia trees and interior work preparation - will begin today. Major demolition and abatement work will not begin until January, Lahendro said.
Read More
University sees increase in fraudulent emails and phishing attempts
By Bertie Azqueta | 10 hours agoSome of these phishing attempts come from @virginia.edu email addresses, making it more challenging for University Outlook users to differentiate fraudulent emails.
Faculty Senate discusses proposal to separate faculty position renewal from promotion
By Lexie Stadler | YesterdayAGF are non-tenure-track professors who hold roles primarily focused on teaching, research, academic librarianship and clinical service.
Board of Visitors approves increased tuition and other rates for 2025-26 school year
By Brandon Kile | December 11, 2024Increases for tuition at the graduate schools ranged from a 0.6 percent increase on the lower end at the Graduate School of Engineering to a 4.1 percent increase on the higher end at the Graduate School of Data Science.
