The university’s two largest construction projects now underway have made significant progress during the summer, as crews have tackled smaller-scale construction projects as well.
The Inn at Elon, a new 80-room hotel and conference center, and LaRose Student Commons, a new gathering space serving the Historic Neighborhood, have both been taking shape since Commencement as crews have worked diligently to move the projects forward.
Work on the Inn at Elon commenced in fall 2018, with the university celebrating the generosity of donors at a ceremonial groundbreaking in October. The inn will be a high-quality hotel similar to others found at more than 80 private and public colleges and universities across the nation. It will meet Elon’s long-standing need for on-campus lodging and conference facilities.
The 80 rooms will include 10 suites along with 70 rooms with king-sized and queen/double beds. Amenities will include a restaurant and lounge, ballroom, conference rooms, fitness room and outdoor gathering spaces. A dedicated parking lot will be located next to the inn. All facilities will be open to the public and available for business meetings and retreats as well as family celebrations such as weddings, reunions and holiday parties.
The hotel will be owned by the university and revenue beyond operating costs will be directed to fund student scholarships. The inn will be managed by Charlestowne Hotels, a hospitality management company based in Charleston, S.C., that operates independent, lifestyle and franchise hotels in college towns, urban centers and resort locations across the nation.
Wet weather from two hurricanes last fall as well as this spring pushed back the completion date for the Inn, but a drier summer has allowed for significant progress with the Inn expected to open in January, said Brad Moore, university architect and director of planning, design and construction management.
There’s already a high level of interest in staying at the Inn, with more details about making reservations to come this fall.
Within the Historic Neighborhood, the construction fences have come down as crews head into the final few months of work on LaRose Student Commons. The 10,000-square-foot, two-story building will provide gathering and study space to students in the neighborhood when it opens this September, a little more than a year after the ceremonial groundbreaking for the project in 2018.
- A 1,200-square-foot activity room on the first floor with comfortable seating that could host a variety of gatherings, including neighborhood meetings led by Residence Life staff.
- Study nooks ideal for students to work on group projects or gather for late-night conversations.
- A 3,000-square-foot event space on the second floor that could host student group meetings and events, guest lectures featuring Elon faculty scholars, career services seminars, and discussions following major campus speakers.
- Office space for the Historic Neighborhood faculty director and Residence Life staff.
Elsewhere on campus, Elon has been working to upgrade residential spaces for students. During past summers, crews have renovated and refurbished Sloan Hall and West Hall, and this summer focused on Virginia Hall, which will be ready to welcome students on Move-In Day on Aug. 23.