Getting it Wright: Dorm Construction Continues

By Katya Schwab ‘17

Published February 2015

Cautionary orange construction fencing now encircles Wright Hall, providing the ever-reliable Randolph rumor mill delicious gossip about the anticipated renovations. The construction of Wright has been on the College community’s radar for over a year, inciting speculation about the plans for the dorm, which students it will house, what the interior will feature, and whether or not construction would ever be underway.

Spoiler Alert: one large flat screen TV, a gas fireplace, an elevator, and two laundry-rooms.

The construction of Wright Hall has included two phases. The first phase encompassed the beginning of the work for the new elevator and began after graduation in May of 2014. Phase two took longer to implement, but once plans were completed in October of 2014, construction began in December 2014. This second phase includes the completion of the elevator and renovations of the dorm itself.

Wright earned a sort of mythical reputation as a favorite dorm among the student body who valued Wright’s unique character as a dorm due to features such as the hardwood flooring.

According to Director of Buildings and Grounds John W. Wood, renovations include a refinishing of the flooring to a “like-new appearance,” making Wright hall the only dorm on campus with hardwood floors. Other original features, including the wood panel dorm and trim will remain, and any new work will be chosen to match the current features.

Features of Wright will include Wi-Fi, multiple electrical outlets in each space, and (drum-roll please) state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems with individual controls for each room, replacing the steam radiators.

“New furniture will be added to all rooms and spaces including the expanded lounge on the first floor,” commented Wood, adding that the first floor lounge “will feature wood floors, new sofas, chairs and tables, a large flat screen TV, and gas logs added to the fireplace.” The lounge will be extended due to new columns that lengthen the room to the adjacent entry hallway. In total, Wright will feature an elevator from Cheatham dinning hall to the fifth floor, five lounges, a kitchen, and two laundry rooms.

Upon the intended completion date, the rooms will be furnished before students arrive for the 2015-2016 school year. Wood stated, “It is hoped that pictures of the interior will be available,” so students may preview what the renovations look like before returning to campus.