After four years of construction, the renovations to New Cabell Hall are nearing completion as students and departments file into the six-story building at the start of the semester. The $64.5 million renovation added state-of-the-art equipment and updated many of the building’s systems.
All mechanical systems — including electrical, plumbing and ventilation — were updated, and the building now has increased handicap accessibility. The renovation also included the installation of new ceilings, terrazzo flooring, a new lighting system and new elevator cabs.
“Everything looks good, but it’s hard to say how things will work until we’ve used the new space for a few months,” Italian Prof. Deborah Parker said. Parker was chair when her department was determining how their new space would be configured.
Among the building’s improved features, Parker highlighted a graduate library, small kitchen areas and updated furniture.
“Furniture I had in Wilson was the very old stuff I had when our department was on the fourth floor of Cabell years ago,” Parker said. “It’s great to have new furniture.”
The construction on New Cabell, sponsored by Virginia College Building Authority bonds, was projected to take four years to complete in order to keep certain areas of the building open for public use.
Prior to the renovation, “New” Cabell was hardly a reflection of its moniker.
“The furniture was pathetically old in many faculty offices [and] many classrooms had seats nailed to floor,” Parker said. “It is much better to have free standing chairs so classes can configure themselves as they like.”
The exterior of New Cabell Hall was also upgraded during the renovation. The staircase on the north side of the building was encased in glass and two terraces were built on the top floor. The courtyard between New Cabell and Old Cabell also received a facelift.
New Cabell, host to several departments’ offices, holds the largest number of classrooms on grounds.
New Cabell was added on to Old Cabell in 1952 as part of a facilities expansion following World War II.
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