Leadership from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, gathered with community partners on Aug. 18 to dedicate the new Poplar and Beacon residence halls.

Poplar and Beacon are key components of the university’s strategic plan for enrollment growth and will help meet the needs of students who are seeking to live on campus throughout their studies. Students began moving into the buildings on Aug. 10.

The new residence halls were built through a public-private partnership, the first of its kind at a university in Tennessee. The project broke ground in March 2024, and UT worked with Provident Resources Group and developer RISE to fast-track construction in response to UT’s rapid growth and demand for on-campus housing.

“The space a student calls home during their time at UT plays a pivotal role in their academic success, personal growth and overall well-being,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Life Frank Cuevas. “Our partnership with RISE Real Estate and the creative, solution-minded leaders across our campus kept this project on track and focused on student needs every step of the way. With the opening of Poplar and Beacon Halls, we are not only meeting the needs of a growing student body, but also building a more dynamic campus experience by providing modern, affordable housing options that support Volunteers in every aspect of their journey.”

Joining Cuevas for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the new buildings were Chancellor Donde Plowman, UT System Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer David Miller, Executive Director of University Housing Anthony White, Assistant Director of Facilities and Services Rodney Combs, RISE Senior Vice President of Development Jeremy Doss and Provident Resources Group President Chris Hicks.

Suite-style Living and Community Amenities

Both Beacon and Poplar halls feature suite-style rooms that can accommodate up to four students. Each hall has a 24-hour front desk, post office, laundry facility, community kitchen, study rooms and lounge spaces.

Seven-story Poplar Hall, at the intersection of Andy Holt Avenue and 20th Street, is home to 799 students. A courtyard connects the building to the adjacent Dogwood and Magnolia halls. Amenities in Poplar include a recreational area with billiards, a podcast room and a multipurpose meeting room.

Beacon Hall, between Caledonia and Terrace Avenues, is a two-building complex (Beacon East and Beacon West) that houses 1,160 students. Joined by a courtyard, the buildings each have eight floors plus a basement. Beacon amenities include a patio space, covered outdoor area, and soundproof booths that offer students privacy for phone calls or Zoom calls.

To further accommodate the university’s growing student population, a third new residential building, Torchbearer Hall, is under construction at the corner of Lake Loudoun and Volunteer Boulevards and is scheduled to open for the fall 2026 semester.

Source: UTK News