The Commons Building History

Funding for the construction of The University Student Commons was approved by VCU in 1975 at a budget of $7.7 million. The goal for project completion was August 1977, but construction for The Commons was postponed due to budget concerns. After many years of planning and lobbying by students, faculty, and administrators, a building opened in 1984. Interestingly, the building was very similar to the original proposed and approved plans that were developed in the mid-'70s. The University Student Commons, known as The Commons, opened on January 17, 1984.

On January 17, 1993, VCU celebrated a significant expansion of The Commons with the addition of Phase II. 

On April 15, 2004, VCU celebrated the opening of Phase III of The Commons, a 39,000 square-foot addition that included the Ballroom, and 16,000 square feet of renovated space, including The Commons Theater, The Commons Cafe and Park Place Food Court.

The building that stands today is almost exactly the same square footage that was initially proposed by architects in the 1970’s.