Just over a decade ago, the University of Georgia’s West Campus was characterized by aging mid-century residence halls and underutilized student amenities, long past their prime and in clear need of revival.

Today, this central area of campus — home to more than 4,500 first-year students — has been transformed through a series of noteworthy renovation projects and new facilities, with more enhancements coming next fall.

“Everything we do is with the quality of the student residential learning experience first and foremost in our minds,” said Linda Kasper, executive director of University Housing. “Whether students live in our halls for only their first year or for multiple years, we want them to feel like they have the creature comforts of home in their home away from home.”

In 2020, the university completed a comprehensive, multi-year renovation of Russell and Brumby halls. The $98 million restoration of these 1960s facilities redesigned rooms and furnishings, expanded lounges and study spaces, enhanced privacy in bathrooms and showers, and updated building systems for the 1,900 students who live there. The renovations earned statewide awards from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

In 2022, UGA dedicated Black-Diallo-Miller Hall, a $50-million residence hall serving 525 students and its first new residence hall since 2013. In the summer of 2024, the university completed a two-year, $20 million initiative upgrading the five residence halls comprising the Hill Community — Boggs, Church, Hill, Mell and Lipscomb halls.

Recent West Campus investments have also focused on improving student services and amenities, as well as revitalizing outdoor greenspaces. In September, the university announced plans to double the size of the Legion Field greenspace by removing the old Legion Pool and creating a new amphitheater using the site’s natural topography. Preliminary design options show terraced and hillside seating that could accommodate up to 1,100 seats, with standing room for another 3,500 people.

“As the largest student programming board on UGA’s campus, we aim to enhance the student experience through inclusive and engaging events. Due to our high attendance at events, centrally located spaces can be limited,” said Blair Beck, a third-year student and president of UGA’s University Union. “Renovating Legion Field would expand our capacity, allowing us to add more attractions and accommodate more students for major events like our annual Homecoming Carnival and Movie on the Lawn, as well as increase opportunities for future programming.”

The revitalized Legion Field will also be outfitted with Wi-Fi access, equipping the area to serve as a study space and outdoor classroom. 

“When you walk through North Campus or along D.W. Brooks Mall, you see the positive impact that communal green space makes on an area,” said Dean of Students Eric Atkinson. “With a space the size of Legion Field, the possibilities beyond just casual use are endless. We’ll have flexibility to program events for Orientation, Welcome Week and many well-being events throughout the year.”

From its location in the heart of campus, the enhanced Legion Field is also poised to become a major pedestrian hub, functioning not only as the “backyard” for residence hall high-rises and Hill community residents but also as a connecting point for those walking across campus. In 2023, the university completed a $2.5 million initiative adding ADA improvements and accessible pathways to areas surrounding several West Campus residence halls. 

“All our projects are guided by the tenets of UGA’s physical master plan, a key component of which is greenspace and walkability for our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said Gwynne Darden, associate vice president and university architect. “Our historic preservation master plan also plays an important role in guiding our processes when renovating historic facilities that support our academic mission, such as the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, the mid-century buildings that comprise Science and Ag Hill, and many of our residence halls.”

Earlier this year, the university announced plans for a comprehensive restoration of Creswell Hall in 2027, another landmark high-rise housing more than 900 students. At a cost of $115.7 million, it will represent the university’s largest investment to date in historic preservation.

Meanwhile, construction continues on the new $60.7 million West Campus Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center, scheduled to open in fall 2026. This three-story, 68,000-square-foot facility will include a satellite medical clinic operated by the University Health Center, multiple active learning classrooms, and an 800-seat dining commons with tree-top views over the revitalized Legion Field.  The West Campus Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center further complements Bolton Dining Commons, which opened in 2014. Bolton seats 1,000 people and is UGA’s largest meal plan facility. 

The redevelopment of Legion Field also includes a small component for parking — 20% of the total project, allowing for 70 new parking spaces dedicated to student residents in the area.