July 22, 2011 — Between now and December, nine buildings – comprising nearly 350,000 square feet – will open for business at the University of Virginia, ranging from new construction to renovations to additions.

Major projects include the College of Arts & Sciences' Physical and Life Sciences building and the Engineering School's Rice Hall. The U.Va. Bookstore will open its addition over the Central Grounds Garage, and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy will move into its new home, the renovated Garrett Hall, on Central Grounds.

When the projects are completed, the University will have added about 216,000 square feet of new program space, about 34,000 square feet of renovated space returned to use, and about 98,000 square feet of expansion space. It will also open, in time for the fall term, two new residence halls, Balz-Dobie and Watson-Webb, which replace three that were demolished.

In an occasional series, UVa Today will profile each of the new additions to the Grounds.

Part One: The College's Physical and Life Sciences Building

Part Two: Batten School's New Home, Garrett Hall

Part Three: Rice Hall Opens This Fall; Will Be State-of-the-Art Space for IT Engineering

Part Four: U.Va. Band Program Finds a Home in Hunter Smith Building

Part Five: Housing Aims to Transform the Student Experience with New Residence Halls