University of Tennessee dorms to make way for business building

Three dormitories on the Knoxville, Tennessee, campus of the University of Tennessee reportedly have been slated for demolition so a business education classroom building can be constructed in their place.

An early-October report from KnoxNews.com says the three residence halls—built between 1930 and 1963—will be demolished so a previously announced Haslam College of Business building can be constructed.

The three dormitories, made of red brick, according to the website, are Gothic Henson Hall, Greve Hall and Dunford Hall.

In an August recap of current and planned construction projects, the university described the planned Haslam College of Business expansion as including a new building “that will provide flexible classrooms and collaboration areas” and “will support the college as it experiences significant growth.”

A rendering of the proposed College of Business structure shows a four- or five-story building with three wings and a courtyard.

That same recap also says the University of Tennessee is planning to build two new residence halls in Knoxville later this year, although it does not mention the demolition of any existing dorms. “The halls will provide 550 and 750 new beds, respectively,” the university writes, adding, “The new buildings will be built on current surface parking areas.”

A university administrator quoted by KnoxNews says the decision to raze the dormitories was “not taken lightly.” He also indicates the demolition process is being targeted for an autumn 2023 start.