University of Tennessee leaders gathered on April 24 to break ground on the new state-of-the-art Student Success Building. Taking the place of Melrose Hall, the building is set to open in fall 2027.
The 119,000-square-foot building will be home to multiple student programs, including the Academic Student Success Center, Vol Study Center, University Honors, Student Disability Services and more.
“Our scholars will find expert guidance, seamless support and insightful collaboration — all conveniently located under one roof,” Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success, said. “It will be a place where inquiry, strengths coaching and curiosity will collide, creating a powerful synergy between academic and career support, faculty and our scholars that will elevate every student’s experience.”
The building will also house classrooms, lounges and common spaces to enhance the student experience further.
Beyond academic and student support, the building will represent a big step forward for sustainability within the UT community. The project will be the first campus building to feature mass timber in its construction.
“We have been looking for the right opportunity to introduce mass timber onto our campus, and this student-focused building seemed like the perfect opportunity,” Andy Powers, director of Design Services and University Architect, said. “It is a fast-growing material which requires less energy to produce, creating less waste and reducing construction schedules.”
Powers also highlighted that the wood’s warmth and texture can create a calming atmosphere — natural light, native landscaping and nature-themed graphics — that will support student health and wellness.
“Many other environmentally conscious features are present, including materials selected for their local proximity to the building site and made from recycled products,” Powers said. “The building will include high-performance lighting and HVAC systems as well as plumbing fixtures designed to minimize water usage.”
The new building will also feature a green roof, providing storm management and reuse to eliminate pollution and runoff.
“Additionally, the green roof will serve as a gathering space,” Powers said. “The roof vegetation acts as insulation for the building and protects the roof, extending its useful life. These specific measures bring to life broad sustainable concepts outlined in the campus master plan.”
Construction will be a phased process over the next two years. Mike Materna, director of Capital Construction, said the next step will begin next school year.
“The first major milestone will be the completion of demolition of the current Melrose Hall,” Materna said. “Abatement work is underway now, and demolition work is expected to begin in August and be completed in September.”
UT will take preemptive measures to ensure that the central location of the construction site — between Hess Hall and Hodges Library — will not disrupt student and faculty life.
“The Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Walkway and alleyway between the John C. Hodges Library and Melrose Hall will remain open except for a few announced disruptions this summer,” Matt Motsko, assistant vice chancellor of construction, said. “The university will communicate throughout the project with neighboring students, faculty and staff to keep them up to date.”
Motsko emphasized the importance of construction to UT’s growth and modernization as he ensured that they would do all they could to minimize the impact of construction on students, employees and visitors.
The project is predicted to cost $108 million and will symbolize UT’s commitment to student success, academic excellence and sustainability.
