University of Kentucky Opens Renovated Student Center

The University of Kentucky opened its renovated Student Center in late April of 2018 in Lexington. The 378,000-sf facility features a three-story atrium with a terraced interaction staircase offering informal spaces for studying and socializing. Designed by Perkins+Will, the $200 million project includes two towers, one housing a 564-seat cinema and the other a black box theater. The building provides a bookstore, a cafeteria, conference and meeting rooms, a visitor center, a divisible grand ballroom, space for student clubs and governance, and a Starbucks café. LEED Silver sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility, which was originally constructed in 1938 with subsequent expansions in 1963 and 1982.