Recently completed campus construction projects

 

Leifson Physics and Chemistry buildings

Exterior of the brick-covered Leifson Physics building attached to the Schulich lecture hall
Leifson Physics building

The Leifson Physics and Chemistry Buildings were originally construction in 1967 and house the College of Science Departments of Physics and Chemistry, respectively. In support of University and College of Science research and educational objectives, the first floor of the Chemistry Building and the third floor of Leifson Physics will undergo extensive renovations to provide state of the art facilities to students and staff. Research laboratory, classroom, and office spaces are being modernized, ventilation systems upgraded and expanded, and overall building safety enhanced with the addition of building wide fire alarm systems, and fire sprinklers on all floors of each building. New ADA compliant restrooms are included in both buildings. Due to innovative design, the Chemistry Building assignable space will increase by 1,778 square feet and the Leifson Physics Building assignable space will increase by 839 square feet. The University is using a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) construction delivery method for this project.

Project overview

  • Architect: Van Woert Bigotti Architects
  • Contractor: Clark & Sullivan Constructors, Inc.
  • Square footage of renovated space: 32,174 (Leifson Physics: 13,929 / Chemistry: 18,280)
  • Layout - Leifson Physics: 3 Classrooms; 7 Laboratory Spaces; 2 Laboratory Support Space ;11 Offices; 1 Graduate Student Work Area; 1 collaboration Room; Modernize Elevator Cab
  • Layout - Chemistry Building: 5 Laboratory Spaces; 8 Laboratory Support Spaces; 8 Offices; 4 Graduate Student Work Spaces; 1 Collaboration Room; 1 Conference Room; Modernized Elevator Cab
  • Estimated cost: $23.4 Million Projected
  • Construction start date: Summer 2019
  • Projected completion date: Summer 2020

 

University Arts building

Exterior of the University Arts building in the evening, lined with concrete walkways and rails
University Arts building

The University of Nevada, Reno and the School of the Arts are expanding their roles and footprint on campus and in the community. The new University Arts Building will be connected to the Church Fine Arts building through a sky-walk. It will enhance the quality of music and art programs with new spaces that will inspire creativity and artistic excellence. A new recital hall, art museum, fabrication lab, multiple rehearsal and practice rooms, and teaching studios will support students and staff in producing their best work.

The building will amplify the role of the arts within the community, while at the same time increase the public's accessibility to world-class performances and exhibitions. Scholarly, creative and instructional efforts within the College of Liberal Arts produce some of the most visible connections between the campus and surrounding community. The University wants to further enhance the arts presence on campus and in the community by expanding the number of artistic performances and exhibitions. By promoting and cultivating the University's arts programs in this manner, the University will strengthen its leadership role in arts education in northern Nevada and continue to showcase top student and professional performances and exhibits in music, theatre, dance, and art.

The new building will further the University's connection to the Reno community and create a model of cooperation that also will positively affect the region's economic impact. The project is in the planning stages and expected to feature a 287-seat recital hall, a new art museum, fabrication lab, electroacoustic lab, soundproof rehearsal spaces, music practice rooms, faculty office spaces and a recording studio.

Project overview

  • Architect: DLR Group Architecture & Engineering, Inc.
  • Contractor: Q&D Construction
  • Square footage: 42,500
  • Estimated cost: $35.5 Million raised through donor grants and pledges
  • Construction start date: May 2017
  • Grand opening date: February 22, 2019

 

Great Basin Hall

Two people walk up the concrete steps to Great Basin Hall, a brick covered residence hall with numerous windows on the second floor
Great Basin Hall

Great Basin Hall was built to keep up with the increasing demand for on-campus student housing, which currently exceeds 122 percent. The hall will have a STEM theme - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - to promote academic success within these disciplines. While the University is able to accommodate all current residence hall requests, new facilities are needed to increase capacity and continually improve on the quality of accommodations offered to new students.

Great Basin Hall is designed to house 400+ students, 90 percent freshmen and 10 percent upperclassmen. The concept behind the new hall will be for informal mentoring to take place in an effort to continue to recruit and retain students in the STEM fields. Freshmen who live on and connect with campus in their first year at the University are more likely to persist, re-enroll into their second year and ultimately graduate. Providing students with a quality on-campus living experience helps showcase the culture of student success.

Project overview

  • Architect: VanWoert Bigotti
  • Contractor: CORE Construction
  • Square Footage: 114,151
  • Construction information: Environmentally sensitive construction will be LEED Gold
  • Estimated cost: $62.7 million
  • Funding Source: Residence Hall fees and bonds
  • Construction start date: Fall 2016
  • Completion date: Summer 2018

 

Lombardi Recreation Center

Exterior of 1970s designed Lombardi Recreation with an orange exterior and white window coverings with trees and grass lining the landscaping
Lombardi Recreation Center

Renovation of basketball practice facilities for athletics, and new space for the Liberal Arts Theater and Dance program.

Project overview

  • Completion date: Summer 2018
  • Project cost: $5.2 Million
  • Project manager: Ariel Lauzardo

 

Mackay Stadium

Thousands of fans fill the seats at Mackay Stadium to watch a football game, with the green turf and sport wolf logo at the 50-yard line
Mackay Stadium

ADA seating is now available in sections A, C, E, H, J, K and M. An accessible restroom was added on the concourse level of the east side. Additional work in the stadium included making ADA improvements to all existing restroom facilities, installing chair guards, and posting directional signage.

Project overview

  • Completion date: Fall 2017
  • Cost: $700,000
  • Project manager: Scott Brown

 

Manzanita Hall

An image of Manzanita Hall, a brick covered building with steps leading to double doors and trees and bushes lining the building
Manzanita Hall

A major renovation and structural upgrade of the historic Manzanita Hall transformed it into a co-educational residential housing unit. Manzanita Hall is one of 13 buildings in the University's historic. Providing students with a quality on-campus living experience helps showcase the culture of student success. Living on campus provides students an authentic, total college experience. Manzanita Hall, originally known as "The Cottage," was built in 1896 in an L-shape and was half the size it is today. In 1910 an addition and an eastern-facing porch were added, although the porch was removed when the building was remodeled in 1950. 

Project overview

  • Architect: Collaborative Design Studio
  • Contractor: Clark and Sullivan Constructors, Inc.
  • Built in: 1896
  • Square Footage: 32,493
  • Estimated Cost: $9.4 Million
  • Funding Source: Residence Life and Housing Construction
  • Start Date: August 27, 2018
  • Completion Date: Summer of 2019

Renovations and structural upgrades

  • 103 student beds
  • 6 resident assistant rooms
  • A laundry facility Student lounges
  • Study areas
  • Seismically retrofitting the structure
  • Life safety upgrades
  • Removal of ADA barriers

 

Palmer Engineering building

Exterior view of Palmer Engineering with a brick exterior and Roman columns at the front of the building
Palmer Engineering building

Renovations include removing the existing subsonic wind tunnel to create additional space, remodeling several labs and upgrades to comply with accreditation standards.

Project overview

  • Completion date: September 2017
  • Square footage: 34,787
  • General contractor: Clark/Sullivan
  • Architect: H + K Architects
  • Project cost: $12.1 Millon
  • Project manager: Ariel Lauzardo

 

Thompson Hall

Exterior of the brick-covered Thompson Hall with white columns at the front of the building and concrete paths in front of the building
Thompson Hall

The Thompson Hall renovation project included major office space layout changes through demolition and renovation of walls and finishes. Restroom and ADA compliance improvements were made, along with structural, fire-suppression, electrical and heating/ventilation system upgrades. The renovation includes all new finishes: flooring, ceilings, paint and lead/asbestos abatement. This project was completed to LEED Silver equivalency, furthering energy efficiency goals for the campus.

Project overview

  • Completion date: March 2017
  • Square footage: 19,934
  • General Contractor: Geney/Gassiot Architect: GML Architects
  • Project cost: $4.7 Million
  • Project manager: Ariel Lauzardo

 

E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center

Exterior of the EL Wiegand courtyard of pavers, with the building in the distance and lights shining through the building's windows
E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center

A new fitness facility for students, faculty and staff. The four floors include an indoor running track, multi-sport courts, cardio machine and weight rooms, multiple fitness classrooms, locker rooms, office space, and more. The parking garage includes 80+ parking spaces. Finally, this work included the renovation and redesign of the campus entrance at Lawlor, and the addition of a traffic circle on campus.

Project overview

  • Completion date: February 2017
  • Square footage: 108,600
  • General contractor: Q & D Construction
  • Architect: Worth Group
  • Project cost: $47.5 Million
  • Project manager: John Walsh
 

William N. Pennington Engineering Building

Rendering of the Pennington Engineering building with two wings, one brick and the other gray with a more modern look, with a skywalk connecting both wingsWilliam N. Pennington Engineering rendering

The new William N. Pennington Engineering Building is comprised of research and teaching laboratories, graduate work stations, faculty offices, a clean room, food services, and a 210-student classroom. Each of the College of Engineering's five departments occupy space in the new building: Chemical and Materials Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

It joins the well-established engineering complex which includes Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering, Paul Laxalt Mineral Research, Palmer Engineering, Scrugham Engineering and Mines, Harry Reid Engineering Laboratory and the Earthquake Engineering Laboratory. The two building halls are connected on the first, third and fourth floors, with the second floor providing exterior access from Evans Avenue down to a new plaza on the east side of Palmer Engineering.

Project overview

  • Completion date: August 2020
  • Square footage: 108,170
  • Architect: H+K Architects
  • Contractor: CORE Construction
  • Project cost: $91.6 Million (The State of Nevada provided $40.2 million for this project. The remaining $51.4 million was provided by the University of Nevada, Reno and from University donors.)