UNCW Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

Campus leaders and students gathered for the groundbreaking of a new residence hall that will house more than 500 students. The groundbreaking marks the beginning of a much-needed addition to the growing UNCW campus community. The event took place on Feb. 6 with local and state government officials, students and community supporters in attendance.

“Today’s groundbreaking represents far more than the start of a new building,” said Christine Reed Davis, vice chancellor of student affairs. “It marks an investment in our students and in the experience we want every Seahawk to have while they are here.”

The new campus addition will feature 540 beds, primarily in double occupancy rooms with occasional singles as well. The building will have pod-style bathrooms and social spaces throughout. The first floor will include a large, two-story “Quad Commons” space, available for residents to gather and study.

“This new residence hall is more than a construction project,” said Hugh Caison II '85, UNCW Board of Trustees chair. “It is a milestone in a comprehensive strategic plan created with the insight and involvement of the community. That plan guides our growth with intention, ensuring that, as our university continues to expand, we are building the infrastructure our students need.”

UNCW has seen record-breaking growth over the years, with heightened enrollment numbers. The university saw its largest ever first-year class this past fall, with 3,109 new students, a 12.9% increase from fall 2024. 

“As we turn the soil today, we honor the past, celebrate the present and make way for the future. A future in which new generations of Seahawks will soar higher together,” said Caison.

The new hall will replace the former Galloway Hall, which served as UNCW’s first student dormitory and was the first air-conditioned residence hall in the UNC System. Named after Edmond R. Galloway following his passing during his first year at UNCW, the hall served students from 1971 until its demolition in 2024. After more than 50 years of service, its aging infrastructure necessitated change. The new building will be named at a later date.

Construction for the new hall will cost $71 million and will complete development on the quad, located across from Loggerhead and Terrapin Halls.

“Our commitment to the residential experience at UNCW runs deep. Living and learning are intertwined here,” said Chancellor Volety. “What happens in our classrooms is powerful, and when you combine those opportunities with the day-to-day practice of living within a campus community, then you get a sense of the UNCW experience at its best.” 

The new hall is projected to be completed by fall 2027.