This article originally appeared on the Knoxville Daily Sun.
Hoar Construction is excited to announce the groundbreaking of a new 116,000-square-foot Student Success Center on the campus of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). As the construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) on the project, Hoar will replace the outdated Melrose Hall. The new facility, designed to foster collaboration and interaction among students, faculty, and staff, is scheduled to open in time for the Fall 2027 semester.
Located between Hess Hall and John C. Hodges Library, the Student Success Center will serve as a hub for student achievement, with modern classrooms, student service staff offices, testing rooms, and spacious student lounges. The building will also feature seminar and conference rooms on the lower floor, capable of hosting larger events. After years of dormancy, the existing Melrose Hall will be demolished to make way for this state-of-the-art facility.
“We are thrilled to lead the transformation of this site into a vibrant, dynamic space for students at UTK,” said John Konsonlas, general superintendent at Hoar Construction. “This marks the beginning of our partnership with The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and we look forward to working closely with UTK to create a lasting impact. We are committed to ensuring that this project is completed with minimal disruption to campus life while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.”
The new center will span five stories, with one floor below ground. Adjacent to the main structure, a pavilion constructed from sustainable mass timber will serve as a standout feature of the design. This will be the first mass timber construction for The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The mass timber structure will seamlessly connect to the main building via a “jewel box” walkway, providing access to a rooftop terrace and surrounding green spaces.
During construction, Hoar Construction will coordinate with subcontractors and other stakeholders to minimize disruptions to campus traffic, prioritize pedestrian safety, and limit disruption. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology will be used to streamline the planning process, ensuring efficient scheduling and coordination of each project component while improving overall logistics.
