RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada, Reno will hold a reopening ceremony for Argenta Hall residence hall on Aug. 16. The residence hall has been closed since July 2019 after an incident involving the building’s boiler required remediation, construction and building updates.

During the event, University President Brian Sandoval will provide brief remarks for invited guests followed by self-guided tours of the Downunder Dining Commons and Argenta Hall. Media are invited for a tour and opportunity for interviews prior to the event program.

“We are excited to get students back into this building and open a state-of-the-art dining complex that will be available to our entire community,” Executive Director of Residential Life, Housing and Food Services Dean Kennedy said. “With how much student feedback has been infused into updating this hall, it will be powerful to see how the student-centered, innovative spaces in the residential section and dining areas support student learning and success.”

The update to Argenta included:

• Redesign to the Downunder Dining Commons, an upgraded convenience store, retail dining venues and increased capacity for approximately 500 people
• Consolidated laundry rooms
• Community learning and social spaces on every floor
• Individual study rooms on every floor
• New paint and carpet

The total investment for the update was around $78 million. Clark/Sullivan Construction was the CMAR contractor, and Peiffer Partners was the design firm for the project.

WHAT/WHO: The University will hold a reopening event for Argenta Hall for invited guests and media.

• Media are invited to a guided tour of the building followed by an opportunity to interview a University spokesperson prior to the formal program.
• During the formal program, University President Brian Sandoval will give opening remarks to invited guests with self-guided tours to follow.

WHEN:

• The guided tour for media will begin at 2:45 p.m. on Aug. 16.
• Sandoval will provide remarks at 3:30 p.m. in the Downunder Dining Commons.

WHERE: The event will be held in the Downunder Dining Commons. The tour will feature the Downunder Dining Commons, a residence hall room and the community learning and social spaces in Argenta Hall. 

MEDIA PARKING: Media can park in the Silver 18 lot just north of the Continuing Education Building with access from 11th Street.

MORE: Argenta Hall has eight stories, houses up to 750 students and shares a connected walkway to neighboring Nye Hall. Its entire first floor is dedicated to the Downunder Dining Commons, with state-of-the-art features managed by Nevada Dining. Argenta is situated on Virginia and Artemisia Way in the center of all campus residence halls. Student move-in and dining in Argenta Hall will begin on Aug. 18, 2022.

For additional information, please visit the University’s Residential Life, Housing & Food Services website.