University of Denver Breaks Ground on First-year Residence Hall

First Building in the Denver Advantage Campus Framework Plan Will House 500 First-Year Students,
Student Support Services and Numerous Gathering Spaces

(Englewood, Colo.) – March 26, 2019 – Saunders Construction, a leading general contractor in Colorado, and the University of Denver, held an official groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, March 25, for the new first-year residence hall, which will be named the Dimond Family Residential Village thanks to a $5 million gift from the Dimond Family Foundation. The 132,000-square-foot residence hall is one of three buildings currently being rolled out as the first phase of the Denver Advantage Campus Framework Plan and will provide housing for 500 first-year students as well as a series of campus-serving programs. The project is planned to open in fall 2020.

“Saunders has a long history of projects in higher education and with the University of Denver. We’re thrilled to be a part of the team bringing The Denver Advantage Plan to life,” said Justin Cooper, vice president of Saunders. “As the first building being rolled out as part of this plan, the Dimond Family Residential Village will serve as a state-of-the-art community space where students will cultivate relationships and collaboratively learn. The expertly designed facility by Anderson Mason Dale integrates DU’s rich architectural history with modern form.”

Built on the footprint of the north side of the Driscoll Student Center and located at the heart of campus, the Dimond Family Residential Village will house spaces for classes, programming, studying and collaborative opportunities, as well as a central dining hall to bring people together for meals and conversation. It will also house all Student Support Services, so that staff can provide comprehensive support and guidance in one, central location. To foster meaningful interactions, dialogues and relationships among the University’s 1,500 first-year students, the new residence hall will feature “pods” of about 24 students each, programming space and an outdoor gathering area that can accommodate the entire first-year class. The building will feature 261 sleeping units as well.

Other partners on the project include architects Moore Ruble Yudell (Santa Monica, Calif.) and Anderson Mason Dale (Denver); structural engineering by Martin/Martin, Inc. (Lakewood); landscape by Didier Design Studio (Fort Collins); mechanical/plumbing/electrical/technology by Cator, Ruma & Associates (Lakewood); energy modeling by Energetics Consulting Engineers (Aurora); food service by Laschober + Sovich (Woodland Hills, Calif.); sustainability by France Sustainable Solutions; and acoustics/AV by K2 Acoustics.

About Saunders
Saunders serves the commercial building industry as a full-service general contractor, design-builder and construction manager. A leader in the Colorado construction industry since its inception in 1972, Saunders’ experience includes a wide range of project types. Saunders is one of the region’s largest general contractors and is the recipient of more than 100 industry awards for its construction excellence, employee achievements and community contributions. In addition, Saunders is a member of the Citadel Group – an alliance of seven regional construction-related companies with operations in 19 cities.

About The University of Denver
Founded in 1864, the University of Denver is committed to engaging with students in advancing scholarly inquiry, cultivating critical and creative thought, and generating knowledge. The University strives to educate the 21st-century citizens and leaders needed in its organizations and communities. For additional information, visit the University’s newsroom or follow the University on Facebook and Twitter.