Construction of University of Nevada, Reno’s new College of Business building starts in July.
By Jason Hidalgo, Reno Gazette Journal, June 19, 2023
Construction will start next month for the new business college building at the University of Nevada, Reno, after the board of regents approved the project.
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents voted on June 9 to approve the development of UNR’s new College of Business building — the first facility to be built as part of the Mathewson University Gateway project just south of the main Reno campus.
The business building, which has yet to be named, will be constructed as part of a public-private partnership. The university is working with Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate, a developer and asset manager based in McLean, Virginia, for the project. The plans also include a hotel, which will be overseen by Maryland-based Woodmont Lodging.
Why is UNR constructing a new business college building?
The new College of Business building will replace the aging Ansari Business Building, which was built in 1982.
At 128,000 square feet, the new building will provide significantly more space than Ansari’s 30,000 square feet, which the College of Business also shares with the College of Liberal Arts.
Providing the College of Business with modernized facilities is crucial given its role in the community, particularly in attracting and fulfilling the talent needs of companies, said Vic Redding, UNR vice president of administration and finance.
“The College of Business is our fastest-growing college,” Redding told the Reno Gazette Journal. “It’s one of our biggest contributors to the area’s workforce.”
What amenities and features are planned for UNR’s new business college building?
Amenities for the new UNR College of Business building include:
- A 300-seat auditorium
- Advanced technology labs
- Teaching spaces more conducive to case studies and modern business teaching methods
- A cafe and social space
- Team meeting spaces and collaboration zones
- Faculty and administrative offices
The new business building will also have a landscaped courtyard and outdoor plazas.
Construction of the business building will start in July and an official groundbreaking will be held in the fall. The new College of Business building will be completed in 2025 in time for the fall semester.
The Mathewson Gateway project is part of a years-long effort by UNR and the city of Reno to connect the university better with downtown.
“With the Board of Regents’ approval of the new College of Business building in the Mathewson Gateway, the University of Nevada, Reno and downtown Reno will realize the shared vision of innovation, collaboration and connection we have always hoped for,” said University President Brian Sandoval in a statement.
“The University Gateway is all part of a greater story that speaks to the next chapter of the University’s role in the future of business education and how our graduates are contributing to the economic success of Northern Nevada.”