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By Eric Althoff

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Contractor and architect Marrillia Design has given the Kentucky Wildcats a whole new common area at the state’s flagship university campus. Working in conjunction with Mark Arnold and Bell Engineering, Marrillia has opened up a portion of Rose Street that has been closed for nearly a decade as the school has sought to re-envision the campus’s design.

The new Alumni Commons offers a gathering space for students, faculty and visitors. The design for the commons offers water features, tables and umbrellas, gardens, and other amenities. The commons is meant to be a place for students to discuss not only coursework but also to meet and talk about their favorite shared activities. Performances are also envisioned for this unique space at the heart of the campus.

The work required refurbishing certain buildings along Rose Street, including the 1962-era Chemistry-Physics Building, which now hosts new lab spaces. A nearby parking structure has also been redesigned. Rose Street sees nearly 20,000 daily crossings via foot traffic, the university reports.

The UK Alumni Association pledged $3 million to the $9 million project in 2022. The association and other organizations ultimately agreed on the name of Alumni Commons to honor those students who have previously walked these hallowed byways.

Marrillia Design and Construction is based in Lexington, making the firm a logical choice for this uniquely homegrown project.