By Web Communications
The Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management will begin work on the renovation and expansion of Management Hall in March 2021. The estimated $55 million project will extend the business school’s space by 50 percent, encompassing a total of 48,000 square feet. The expanded building will include areas to better accommodate the wider Vanderbilt and Nashville business communities. Virtual tours of the completed building renovation, as well as the latest plans, are available for viewing via the links below.
“This expansion reinforces Vanderbilt’s long-term vision and commitment to excellence in everything we do,” said Daniel Diermeier, chancellor of Vanderbilt University. “Despite the difficulties of the current moment, we are dedicated to providing world-class facilities that set the stage for the best in scholarship and education. This new space will make a profound impact on our mission and common purpose for years to come.”
Coming on the heels of the Owen School’s 50th anniversary, this project has received significant support from donors. The Owen Century Partners, a group of early supporters of the project, committed more than $13 million to help launch the building renovation and expansion. Since then, more alumni have committed additional gifts, bringing the fundraising total to over $20 million.
“We are so grateful for the visionary support of the Owen Century Partners, and all of the alumni who have given to help achieve this milestone,’ said M. Eric Johnson, dean of the Owen School. “This show of commitment during a very challenging year shows their resolve to successfully launch the Owen School into its next 50 years.”
Architectural firm William Rawn Associates worked with multiple stakeholder groups across the Owen School community to solicit feedback and inform their plans. They also kept the core mission of the business school in mind as they designed and refined the plans.
“A key hallmark of Owen is personal scale,” said Sam Lasky, principal at William Rawn Associates. “One of our goals in the design was to preserve a sense of community and connection. We didn’t want the school to seem to grow to the point that it lost that key characteristic.”
The architects also considered the role of the building within the larger Vanderbilt campus, as well as the greater Nashville environment since it sits alongside a major road that runs through the heart of the city.
“These new spaces will advance Owen’s commitment to collaboration, innovation and inclusion—all qualities that are especially important right now,” said Susan R. Wente, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “I look forward to the impact this project will have on business education at Owen, and on our One Vanderbilt community at large.”
In addition to a new entrance at street level, there will also be a new café, flexible classroom, collaboration spaces for students, and a multipurpose room that can fit the entire MBA student body.
The classrooms on the second floor will be greatly expanded thanks to the building extension, as will the office space on the third floor. The extension also allows for the creation of fourth floor on the addition, which features an outside deck, an event space, and two classrooms.
Take a virtual tour by clicking here.
Explore the building floor by floor here:
