August 13, 2025     Uncategorized     Tags: , ,
Alumnae Hall Project Campus Update #1: What’s Happening in Cuvilly Hall?

Alumnae Hall Project Campus Update #1: What’s Happening in Cuvilly Hall?

As we welcome everyone back to Trinity for the Fall 2025 semester, you will begin to notice some changes on campus that are the earliest parts of our big project to modernize Alumnae Hall.  This is exciting!  And also, this work that’s just about to start will require some changes in campus patterns while construction is underway.

What is the Alumnae Hall Project?

We are modernizing this 100 year-old building to make sure it is functional, comfortable and able to meet Trinity’s needs for the next 100 years!  You can read more about the project in the prospectus located here.

In short, the Alumnae Hall Project will:

  • Install entirely new mechanical systems in the building for air conditioning and heating;
  • Modernize all plumbing and electrical systems;
  • Replace all equipment in the kitchen, and provide more opportunities for food preparation on the first floor so that diners can have more meals prepared to their specifications;
  • Replace the elevators; and
  • Refurbish the dining halls and student rooms to enhance the building’s beauty and comfort.

How does the Alumnae Hall Project Affect Cuvilly Hall?

In order to renovate Alumnae Hall, we will need to move the kitchen and dining halls out of Alumnae Hall for a period of up to two years while the construction is ongoing.  That’s where Cuvilly Hall comes in!  When Cuvilly Hall first opened in 1958, the north side of the first floor had a cafeteria that later became a Rathskellar (1970’s) and then a Pub (1980’s) before becoming the Occupational Therapy Lab in more recent years.  The OT Lab has now moved to the Payden Center.

Cuvilly Hall now becomes the location for the temporary kitchen and dining areas while Alumnae Hall is under construction.  Cuvilly’s first floor is a beautiful space with large windows and great natural light lending itself to a pleasant dining experience.

Here’s a rendering of how the space will look on the side with the kitchen and servery:

And here’s a rendering of the other side:

Below is the basic floor plan design showing where the kitchen, servery and dining areas will be.  This project will also create a new restroom on the first floor corridor.  The design also shows temporary refrigeration units stationed on the small parking lot behind the kitchen area.

When will the construction of the new dining area start in Cuvilly?

Right now!  The first part of the project will include removing some walls on the first floor, and so for everyone’s protection and the security of the project, our contractors with Clark Construction will be installing some barriers in the Cuvilly lobby area to segment the work space.  We also will have some plumbing work going on as part of the preliminary preparation for installing the kitchen equipment.

When will the Cuvilly Cafe be open for serving meals?

January 2026.  When everyone comes back for the Spring 2026 semester, Cuvilly will be open for dining!  We hope that everyone will take the time to visit the Cuvilly Cafe, enjoy a meal and the new environment.

We will have much more to tell our campus community about this project in the days ahead.  Our plan is to issue updates at least every two weeks as construction gets underway.  We also will welcome comments and suggestions especially related to dining services in order to be sure the plan works for you.  Thanks for your patience and engagement as we create a wonderful new dining and residence hall for Trinity’s future!