Gatton Student Center

University of Kentucky | Lexington, Kentucky

In 2013 CMTA began working with the University of Kentucky and the design team to upgrade the aging infrastructure for the most used building on the University Campus. It quickly became apparent that a much more significant project was needed to meet the student and University’s needs. What started as a $20M donation from the Gatton family evolved into a new 378,000-square-foot student center. The center represents a marrying of tradition and modernization, and is even described as the living room of the campus.

The original 1938 gymnasium that Adolf Rupp would coach in has become a one-of-a-kind fitness center for the northern campus, while the original 1938 student center was retained for the grand ballrooms. The rest of the student center was reimagined into a high-tech space that catered to the needs of students. This included a new cinema, a blue box theatre, student government chambers, Barnes and Noble bookstore, and the largest food service facility on campus.

Project at a Glance Completion: 2018

Size: 378,000 SF

Cost: $230,000,000

Project Type: New Facility Awards/Certifications: LEED Silver

30% Energy Reduction