Virginia Commonwealth University's ambitious plans for a new athletic village and a redesigned 14-story dormitory are scheduled to undergo evaluation by the state's architectural review board this week. The Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB) will conduct preliminary reviews of both projects during their Friday meeting, marking a significant step forward in VCU's campus expansion efforts.

The athletic village's first phase will be constructed on a 40-acre site near The Diamond and is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding industrial landscape. The centerpiece stadium will feature a 400-meter outdoor track and natural turf soccer field, complemented by two additional practice fields. The facility will showcase VCU's signature black-and-gold colors while incorporating steel cross bracing to create an industrial aesthetic that matches the nearby Scott's Addition area.

The project has undergone significant revisions due to rising construction costs, with VCU's Board of Visitors approving a scaled-back version in September. The stadium's capacity was reduced from the originally planned 1,500-seat, 15,600-square-foot facility to a more modest 1,000-seat, 9,000-square-foot structure with open bleacher seating. Despite these changes, the project remains within its $38 million budget, with Barton Malow serving as general contractor and HKS handling the design work.

Construction will take place at 2701 Hermitage Road, the former site of a demolished Greyhound Lines bus maintenance facility where site preparation is currently underway. This first phase is intended to replace the aging 25-year-old Sports Backers Stadium, which currently hosts VCU's soccer matches and track-and-field events. The university plans to sell the 6.6-acre Sports Backers Stadium property to the Richmond Economic Development Authority for $25 million, with proceeds contributing to the athletic village funding.

VCU will cover the remaining $13 million needed for the project through private fundraising efforts and VCU Athletics funds. The university has invested heavily in accumulating the necessary land since 2020, spending $39 million to acquire 42 acres between 2601-2901 Hermitage Road. The athletic village, described as VCU's third campus, is planned as a four-phase development that will eventually include indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an additional soccer stadium, and various other athletic facilities.

Simultaneously, the AARB will review a completely redesigned proposal for a 14-story residence hall on West Grace Street. This dormitory project would be built on a one-acre site currently occupied by the BookHolders building at 720 W. Grace Street and a three-story VCU office building at 700 W. Grace Street. The 349,000-square-foot structure would provide 900 to 1,000 beds in both suite-style and apartment configurations.

The dormitory's innovative crescent-shaped design features an opening facing south toward Grace Street, with the western tower rising 14 floors and the eastern section reaching nine stories. The ground floor will house retail and dining spaces along with a mail center, while a second-floor courtyard will provide outdoor space for residents. The building's stepped approach is specifically designed to complement surrounding structures, including similarly sized university dormitories near Monroe Park and smaller buildings along Broad Street, as well as the Institute for Contemporary Art.

This latest dormitory design represents a complete overhaul following the AARB's rejection of the previous proposal in August. Board members had criticized the earlier iteration for feeling disconnected from nearby buildings and lacking design cohesion. The updated version incorporates materials and colors that better align with the Institute for Contemporary Art, Gladding Residence Center, and the upcoming CoStar Arts & Innovation Center, while featuring a simplified window arrangement throughout the structure.

The project team includes architecture firm Glavé & Holmes, engineering firm Ayers Saint Gross, and landscape architects Waterstreet Studio. While the square footage and floor count remain unchanged from the previous proposal, the building's overall height has been reduced. VCU has not yet released cost estimates for the dormitory, which will be funded through debt payments made with student housing fees and auxiliary funds.

Both projects are currently in the preliminary review phase of the AARB process. Following this initial evaluation, each project will undergo a second and final review at a later date, when the board will make formal recommendations regarding design approval. The AARB's recommendations will then be forwarded to the Department of General Services director, who holds final approval authority for design plans involving state government buildings, including VCU's capital projects.