The University of Tennessee dormitories will be open under a cool new name. One of them is the “torchbearer”
The University of Tennessee Knoxville has chosen names for three new dormitories, two of which are about to be completed, a “beacon” for students struggling to find housing in recent years.
Beacon Hall: This new dormitory will be located on Caledonia Avenue and accommodate up to 1,166 students.
Although the dormitory is divided into two parts, UT believes it is on a hill that separates Lake Avenue and Terrace Avenue parking lots from the campus. The name reflects how the torchbearer illuminates the students’ beacon, a metaphor adopted by the student newspaper The Daily Beacon.
Poplar Hall: The new dormitory will be located on Andy Holt Avenue and can accommodate up to 788 students.
The name pays tribute to the state tree of Tennessee (Tulip Poplar), which is perfect for considering the new dormitory is located near Magnolia and Hillwood Hall.
Construction update: Both halls can be opened by the fall semester of 2025, with nearly 75% of construction completed in each dormitory.
Torchbearer Hall: This dormitory will be located on Volunteer Boulevard and can accommodate up to 1,028 students.
The name comes from the iconic torchbearer statue, just a few steps from the dormitory. The ground level will include a retail center, hoping to include a “satellite UT Creamery location” to complement the main location of UT Culinary Academy.
Construction update: The dormitory is close to 25%, and is expected to be ready by fall 2026.
“I am very happy to share that all three projects are planned and budgeted,” Kuwas said at the principal’s advisory board meeting.
The University of Tennessee at the University of Tennessee is expected to complete two new dormitories by the fall semester of 2025, with the Lighthouse and Poplar Hall nearly 75% completed. The third dormitory, called Torchbearer Hall, is scheduled to open in fall 2026.
Fast tracking of dormitory development: UT entered what Prime Minister Donde Plowman calls a “historic” public-private partnership with project owner Provident Resources Group and developers to quickly track the development of dormitories. Dormitories will add much-needed accommodation to nearly 3,000 students, reducing student housing pressures as colleges continue to increase enrollment.
Lower cost than estimated: The estimated cost for all three dormitories is $320 million. That’s more than $50 million lower than the estimated cost reported last year.
Dormitory facilities: Each new dormitory will offer a suite-style room in a single-bedroom or double-living suite. Also included in the plan are meeting space, a seating area and a semi-private bathroom.
Keenan Thomas reports for Knox News Business Growth and Development Team. You can contact him by email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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This post originally appeared in Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee New University Name: Beacon, Poplar and Torchbear
