University Times

Photos by Kimberly K. Barlow

The $5.8 million transformation of the former Concordia Club into the O’Hara Student Center is largely complete. The University purchased the three-story, 18,000-square-foot building at 4024 O’Hara Street for $2.1 million in December 2009.

The renovation retained much of the building’s early 20th-century charm, while creating a student lounge, large event spaces and student group offices and meeting rooms.

Kenyon R. Bonner, associate dean of students and director of Student Life, said the building will be used for student organization events and activities as well as student-focused programming.

A dozen student groups will occupy offices on the building’s upper floors this fall, but the Writing Center (above, left) and Math Assistance Center (above, right) already are settling into their new spaces.

The focal point of the student center’s first floor is a large student lounge (above) that features seating areas and several flat panel TVs.

Many of the club’s ornate features remain in the new student center.

Above: Box beam ceilings and wood paneling were retained in the student lounge; the University seal was added as a focal point on the grand staircase.

Above: A portion of the ballroom’s ornate plaster molding and details from the first floor’s wood paneling.

Above: The renovated second-floor ballroom is the student center’s largest event space. The room opened in April with the annual Blue Stars Red Carpet student awards ceremony as its first event.