VCU advances plans for new 14-floor dorm building on West Grace Street

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- More details have been made available as planning continues on Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) new dormitory building headed to West Grace Street.

As of the time of reporting, the West Grace Street Housing Project is in its first phase of the architectural design process, prompting proposals from the university to secure financing and service contracts for the build.

At a June meeting, the VCU Board of Visitors (BOV) voted to amend a design services contract for $12.9 million following negotiations between Glavé & Holmes Architecture and a chosen vendor.

The project's total cost will be determined through its design process -- with a funding plan of auxiliary funds, debt and student housing payments -- and will be presented to the board alongside a construction contract.

Early renderings of the dormitory building (Photo: VCU)

The new dormitory is said to feature approximately 900-1,000 semi-suite and apartment-style beds. The building will be two parts connected, with one part facing Laurel Street and the other facing Pine Street.

The Laurel Street part will have 14 floors, while the Pine Street part will have nine. The dormitory will have dining and retail spaces, a secure housing entrance, common areas on each floor and a central tower.

This new housing project comes after VCU students have faced multiple housing issues in the past several years, including mold problems and a housing shortage that resulted in 80 students living at the Graduate Hotel during the fall semester of 2023.

Approval for this new housing project began in 2024, after the board voted to add it to the university's Six-Year Capital Plan.

While the services contract amendment has been approved, the next steps for the West Grace Street Housing Project include further board approval in regard to funding and other facets of the pre-planning study.

For more information about how the project currently stands, visit VCU's website.