DENVER — The University of Denver’s new first-year residence hall officially broke ground today. The first-year residence hall is one of three buildings currently being rolled out as the first phase of the Denver Advantage Campus Framework Plan. The Dimond Family Residential Village will provide student housing designed to create a strong sense of belonging and community among the University’s 1,500 first-year students. Stonebridge Companies Founder, President and CEO Navin Dimond and the Dimond Family Foundation has donated a $5 million gift to build the project.
“Navin and Rita have been supporters of the University of Denver for many years,” said Chancellor Rebecca Chopp. “The Dimond Family Residential Village represents the commitment of Navin and Rita and indeed the entire Dimond family to creating community and meaningful experiences for our students. We are immensely grateful for their philanthropy and dedication to the University.”
The 130,000-square-foot residence hall will provide housing for 500 first-year students as well as a series of campus-serving programs. The project is planned to open in fall 2020. Anderson Mason Dale Architects and Moore Ruble Yudell are the architects for the project and Saunders is the general contractor.
“Saunders has a long history of projects in higher education and with the University of Denver. We’re thrilled to be a part of the team bringing The Denver Advantage Plan to life,” said Justin Cooper, vice president of Saunders. “As the first building being rolled out as part of this plan, the Dimond Family Residential Village will serve as a state-of-the-art community space where students will cultivate relationships and collaboratively learn. The expertly designed facility by Anderson Mason Dale integrates DU’s rich architectural history with modern form.”
The Dimond Family Residential Village will house spaces for classes, programming, studying and collaborative opportunities, as well as a central dining hall to bring people together for meals and conversation. It will also house all Student Support Services so that staff can provide comprehensive support and guidance in one, central location. To foster meaningful interactions, dialogues and relationships among the University’s 1,500 first-year students, the new residence hall will feature “pods” of about 24 students each, programming space and an outdoor gathering area that can accommodate the entire first-year class. The building will feature 261 sleeping units as well.
Other partners on the project include structural engineering by Martin/Martin, Inc. (Lakewood); landscape by Didier Design Studio (Fort Collins); mechanical/plumbing/
Groundbreaking photo courtesy of Saunders and rendering courtesy of The Denver Advantage
