Villanova Breaks Ground On New Performing Arts Center

VILLANOVA, PA – Ground broke on Villanova University's new Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Jan. 25, according to the university.

The new $60 million center will feature performance spaces and studios, classrooms to support education and artistic innovation, and common areas, as well as two main performance spaces including a 400-seat proscenium-style theater and a a 200-seat courtyard theater, the school said.

In addition, the center will have rehearsal space, performance labs, classrooms, a dance studio, costume and scenery shops, a box office, and multiple venues for special events, according to the university.

The development also features residential housing for upperclassmen and University-operated, student-centric retail, including a new Villanova apparel shop, full-service restaurant and market-style convenience store.

The center is funded entirely through philanthropic support and was bolstered by six gifts of $1 million or more, including two gifts of $20 million.

"Today, a dream is becoming a reality," the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova University President said in a statement Thursday. "This is an exciting new chapter for Villanova. I look forward to what the future holds for our arts community and am humbled by the countless people who made today possible."

Serving as home to the Villanova Theatre program, as well as other music and dance activities, it will provide a destination where students, faculty, parents, alumni and friends of Villanova can share their passion for the arts.

The Performing Arts Center was designed by the New York firm, Robert A. M. Stern Architects, and the Philadelphia firm, Voith & Mactavish Architects, selected by Villanova as joint-partners for its Lancaster Avenue development project. LFDriscoll, LLC., will serve as the construction manager for the new building.

"We are grateful for the alumni, parents and friends whose generosity has helped us reach this exciting milestone," Michael J. O’Neill, Senior Vice President for University Advancement, said in a statement. "The Performing Arts Center is a highly anticipated facility and an impressive example of how philanthropic investment is transforming our campus today and for the future."

Image via Villanova