Winter 2026 Update on Campus Construction Projects Construction on a variety of projects continues throughout campus and the Lexington community.

By Brian Laubscher
February 11, 2026

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Washington and Lee University continues to make progress on a variety of construction projects that will shape the university’s future as part of the campus master plan. Below is an update on the progress of various ongoing projects.

Tom Wolfe ’51 Reading Room
The Tom Wolfe ’51 Reading Room, located in the Special Collection and Archives area of the Leyburn Library, was completed before the start of Fall Term and was officially rededicated during a ceremony held Oct. 3.

Campus Switchgear Replacement
The university completed the final campus-wide power outage needed to replace its aging electrical switchgear infrastructure on Dec. 22, 2025. Two shutdowns were planned over the winter break, but work was completed in just one day. The previous system had been in place since the early 1970s.

Campus Utility Infrastructure
Work on the multiyear low-temperature hot water (LTHW) project launched in June 2025, and Phase 1a remains on schedule for completion by early spring 2026. Work has been completed on the lower portion of Washington Street, and the system tie-in has been completed for Gaines Residence Hall, the Duchossois Athletics and Recreation Center and Elrod Commons. Some work remains along the upper portion of Washington Street near the crosswalk and the Elrod Commons tunnel, as well as the tie-in to Graham-Lees Residence Hall. Washington Street is expected to reopen to vehicle traffic this spring.

Phase 1b of the LTHW project is anticipated to follow a similar timeline to the construction of Founders Hall, a new state-of-the-art structure to be located on the corner of Washington Street and Lee Avenue, replacing the Early-Fielding building. The next set of LTHW work will likely begin summer 2026 and continue through 2029. Most construction will focus on the heating/cooling plant but will also involve additional work around Graham-Lees, Huntley Hall and Founders Hall. These activities will have pedestrian impacts like those experienced during Phase 1a. The work is not expected to affect vehicular traffic along Washington Street or Lee Avenue.

University Chapel
University Chapel has been closed to the public since October 2025 to modernize the building’s HVAC systems, expand its fire and life safety systems and update the galleries. As part of these renovations, a permanent steel catwalk has been installed in the attic above the anteroom, spanning the entire chamber to facilitate delivery and installation of new utilities.

Scaffolding has been erected inside the building to assist with installation, and community members may see increased activity with installation equipment and supplies. The galleries renovations are expected to be completed on a similar timeline to the utility work, with the Chapel and its galleries expected to reopen to the public by Law Commencement in May.

Founders Hall
The Founders Hall project, which will bring together the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid and the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity in a new state-of-the-art building, is anticipated to begin shortly after Undergraduate Commencement in May 2026. The first signs of construction will be safety fencing around the project area, with demolition of the Early-Fielding building expected to begin in early summer 2026. Construction is expected to last 24 months, with the new structure opening in spring 2028.

Campus and Lexington community members can expect vehicular and pedestrian impacts along Washington Street, Lee Avenue and Early-Fielding Way, while Evans Dining Hall will be closed during the construction period. The university is evaluating how events typically held in Evans will be accommodated. Catering will continue to operate in the building throughout the construction with occasional interruptions.

Huntley Hall
Design and construction documents for Huntley Hall’s renovation have been completed and are under review. Fundraising efforts are ongoing and their completion will determine the timeline for the project.

OFF-CAMPUS PROJECTS

Rockbridge Building
Adamson Development Corporation is constructing a three-story addition to the Rockbridge Building located at 13 South Main Street. The newly renovated building will provide new retail, office and apartment space in downtown Lexington. W&L has signed a contract to lease nearly 33,000 square feet for office space for several university departments. The university will also sublease five apartments to house students from the W&L School of Law.

When completed, the Rockbridge Building will house the Copy Center, Registrar’s Office, Advancement Operations, Office of Lifelong Learning, Office of Accreditation and Institutional Research, Office of University Events and portions of Auxiliary Services. The building will also include office space for the Mock Convention committee and select visiting faculty, as well as storage and lab space for the archaeology program. The timeline is still being finalized, but completion is anticipated by late spring 2026.

Lexington Golf and Country Club
W&L and the Lexington Golf and Country Club (LGCC) are partners in a new joint venture that involves a complete renovation of the club’s golf course, clubhouse and ancillary facilities to support W&L’s golf teams and restore this important community and university asset. Construction began in August 2025 and the target date for the grand reopening is Memorial Day 2027.

Golf construction work includes all aspects of the course, including a new irrigation system. Construction will last until late summer 2026, followed by seven to eight months of “grow-in” so that the turf root systems take hold.

The former driving range located across New Cameron Drive from the clubhouse will close and be replaced by a new pool facility. Provided the permitting stays on schedule, the pool should open in summer 2026.

A new and much-improved practice tee and short game area will be built between the former seventh- and ninth-hole fairways. The practice tees will be flanked by an indoor performance center including meeting space and technology for swing analysis. W&L’s golf teams and the university’s golf physical education classes will have dedicated spaces in the performance center.

A new turf care maintenance facility with office space for the crew and equipment storage will open this winter on the site of the former eighth green.

The new clubhouse, which will be located where the current pool and tennis courts are, is in its final design. Clubhouse construction is expected to begin this winter and, along with work on the pool, is expected to cause some minor traffic impacts on New Cameron Drive, including reduction to a single lane at times.

In response to the LGCC renovations, W&L has constructed a temporary golf practice area at the Peniel Farm to accommodate the university’s men’s and women’s golf teams and golf physical education classes. The temporary area includes tee boxes for a driving range, bunkers and a temporary practice green. Community members who walk in the area surrounding the Peniel Farm should use caution when the driving range is in use.

For updates on the university’s capital projects, visit the Capital Projects update page on the University Facilities website.