University of Tennessee dorms will open with cool new names. One of them is ‘Torchbearer’

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

University of Tennessee dorms will open with cool new names. One of them is ‘Torchbearer’

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has selected names for three new dorms, two of which are nearing completion, a “Beacon” of hope for students who have struggled to find housing in recent years.

Beacon Hall: This new dormitory will be on Caledonia Avenue and will accommodate up to 1,166 students.

Although the residence hall is split into two sections, UT considers it one dormitory on a hill that separates the Lake Avenue and Terrace Avenue parking garages from campus. The name reflects how the Torchbearer lights a beacon for students, a metaphor adopted by the student newspaper,

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Poplar Hall: The new dormitory will be located along Andy Holt Avenue and will accommodate up to 788 students.

The name pays homage to Tennessee’s state tree, the tulip poplar, which fits nicely considering the new dorm is located near Magnolia and Dogwood halls.

Construction update: Both halls are on track to open by the fall 2025 semester, with construction on each dorm nearly 75% complete.

Torchbearer Hall: This dormitory will be located along Volunteer Boulevard and will accommodate up to 1,028 students.

The name comes from the iconic Torchbearer statue, just a short walk away from the dorm. The ground level will include a retail center, with hopes of including a “satellite UT Creamery location” to complement the

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

, Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Life Frank Cuevas said.

Construction update: The dorm is nearly 25% complete and is expected to be ready by fall 2026.

“I’m pleased to share that all three of these projects are on schedule and on budget,” Cuevas said during the Chancellor’s Advisory Board meeting.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is on track to finish two new residence halls by the fall 2025 semester, with Beacon and Poplar halls nearly 75% complete. The third dormitory, named Torchbearer Hall, is scheduled to open by fall 2026.

Fast-tracking dorm development: UT entered into what Chancellor Donde Plowman called a “historic” public-private partnership with project owner Provident Resources Group and developer RISE to fast-track the development of the dorms. The dormitories will add much-needed accommodations for nearly 3,000 students, alleviating student housing pressure as the university continues to grow its enrollment.

Lower costs than estimated: The estimated cost for all three dorms is $320 million. That’s more than $50 million less than the estimated cost reported last year.

Dorm amenities: Each new dormitory will provide suite-style rooms with either single or double occupancy. Meeting spaces, lounge areas and semi-private bathrooms also are in the plans.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

 reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at *****@*****.tld.

Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at 

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel:

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#University #Tennessee #dorms #open #cool #names #Torchbearer

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up