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Laurel Creek Hall is move-in ready: New building to house 640 App State students

View larger image

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, center, cuts the ribbon on App State’s Laurel Creek Residence Hall July 30. Pictured with Everts, from left to right, are Heather Hulburt Norris, App State provost and executive vice chancellor; Jeremy Doss, senior vice president for development at RISE: A Real Estate Company; Thomas Sofield, representing the App State Board of Trustees; and J.J. Brown, App State vice chancellor for student affairs. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“At a time when the focus has been very much on the day to day, we also have our sights on the horizon — anticipating the needs of the Appalachian Community and planning for generations of Mountaineers to come.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

By Anna Oakes
Posted Aug. 5, 2021 at 8:56 a.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Mountaineers moving into App State’s Laurel Creek Hall this month will enjoy suite- and apartment-style living in a new student residence built with community and sustainability in mind.

“At a time when the focus has been very much on the day to day, we also have our sights on the horizon — anticipating the needs of the Appalachian Community and planning for generations of Mountaineers to come.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

On July 30, Chancellor Sheri Everts hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 151,861-square-foot, 640-bed residence hall completed by RISE: A Real Estate Company, on time and under budget. Laurel Creek Hall is the third of four new residence halls to be constructed as part of a major three-phase housing project near Kidd Brewer Stadium.

“This residence hall, and the many other projects in progress on our campus, represent the future of App State,” Everts said at the event. “At a time when the focus has been very much on the day to day, we also have our sights on the horizon — anticipating the needs of the Appalachian Community and planning for generations of Mountaineers to come.”

View larger image

Laurel Creek Hall is the third of four new residence halls to be constructed as part of Appalachian State University’s major three-phase housing project near Kidd Brewer Stadium. Photo by Chase Reynolds

About Laurel Creek Residence Hall
  • 5 floors, 151,861 square feet.
  • 640 beds.
  • A mix of suite- and apartment-style units.
  • Lobbies, lounges, study spaces and a multipurpose room.
  • A kitchen and on-site laundry facilities.
  • Opened in August 2021.
  • 2.5% under budget (as of Aug. 2).
  • Built to Green Built Alliance standards.

A signature feature of Laurel Creek Hall is its 14,400-square-foot courtyard, a green space connecting the building to Raven Rocks and Thunder Hill residence halls, which opened in August 2020. The area includes a hammock garden where students can relax in hammocks or test their balance on slacklines.

Jeremy Doss, senior vice president for development at RISE, and J.J. Brown, App State vice chancellor for student affairs, joined Everts in addressing guests at the ceremony.

Brown said the new residence halls “truly change the landscape of our community and our living environment for our students.” With thoughtfully designed lobbies, lounges, study rooms, a multipurpose room and a kitchen, students will find space for quiet study, hosting events and socializing with new friends.

The building is named for Laurel Creek, which flows from Beech Mountain into the Watauga River. Naming campus buildings and spaces after local geography, geology and biology helps Mountaineer students build a stronger connection with the surrounding region.

“The creek features a waterfall and swimming area that are quite popular with our students,” Everts said. “Many of our students chose App State, in part, because of our stunning location, and we take every opportunity to honor this beautiful area and its landmarks.”

The chancellor noted the university’s commitment to being a good steward of its resources and of the environment, and added the residence hall was built according to Green Built Alliance standards, with certification anticipated in the future.

View larger image

Returning students will enjoy spacious apartment-style units, such as the one pictured, in Appalachian State University’s Laurel Creek Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sustainable features of the building and the construction process include:

  • Air sealing and insulation.
  • Tree planting and repurposing.
  • Energy- and water-efficient appliances.
  • LED lighting.
  • Automated systems.
  • Sustainable materials that meet stringent indoor air quality standards.

In his remarks, Doss thanked App State leaders and the project team for their partnership with RISE, the developer for the housing project.

“To think, just three years ago, this was a surface parking lot. It’s truly a transformation here,” Doss said.

The opening of Laurel Creek Hall completes Phase 2 of App State’s ongoing major housing project that, when completed, will replace seven residence halls: Bowie, Coltrane, Eggers, Gardner, Winkler, Justice and East. The final phase of the project is New River Hall, which is under construction and scheduled to open in fall 2022.

The $191 million project will provide approximately 2,300 beds — including a net gain of 500 beds — in three phases, while also adding better, more efficient parking.

Read more about these and other construction projects on App State’s campus.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

About Laurel Creek Residence Hall
  • 5 floors, 151,861 square feet.
  • 640 beds.
  • A mix of suite- and apartment-style units.
  • Lobbies, lounges, study spaces and a multipurpose room.
  • A kitchen and on-site laundry facilities.
  • Opened in August 2021.
  • 2.5% under budget (as of Aug. 2).
  • Built to Green Built Alliance standards.
Appalachian’s Future
Appalachian’s Future

The Appalachian’s Future website shares the latest updates about projects underway or being planned over the next three to five years that will enhance the Appalachian Experience.

Learn more
The tradition continues — App State celebrates a hybrid Founders Day
The tradition continues — App State celebrates a hybrid Founders Day
Sept. 8, 2020

App State’s third annual Founders Day commemorates a 121-year history. Ceremonies include Bell Ringers Society induction and ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new residence halls.

Read the story
Appalachian and RISE sign paperwork for multiphase housing project
Appalachian and RISE sign paperwork for multiphase housing project
Feb. 15, 2019

The official signing is part of the multiphase, $191 million housing project that will replace seven residence halls.

Read the story

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“At a time when the focus has been very much on the day to day, we also have our sights on the horizon — anticipating the needs of the Appalachian Community and planning for generations of Mountaineers to come.”

App State Chancellor Sheri Everts

About Laurel Creek Residence Hall
  • 5 floors, 151,861 square feet.
  • 640 beds.
  • A mix of suite- and apartment-style units.
  • Lobbies, lounges, study spaces and a multipurpose room.
  • A kitchen and on-site laundry facilities.
  • Opened in August 2021.
  • 2.5% under budget (as of Aug. 2).
  • Built to Green Built Alliance standards.
Appalachian’s Future
Appalachian’s Future

The Appalachian’s Future website shares the latest updates about projects underway or being planned over the next three to five years that will enhance the Appalachian Experience.

Learn more
The tradition continues — App State celebrates a hybrid Founders Day
The tradition continues — App State celebrates a hybrid Founders Day
Sept. 8, 2020

App State’s third annual Founders Day commemorates a 121-year history. Ceremonies include Bell Ringers Society induction and ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new residence halls.

Read the story
Appalachian and RISE sign paperwork for multiphase housing project
Appalachian and RISE sign paperwork for multiphase housing project
Feb. 15, 2019

The official signing is part of the multiphase, $191 million housing project that will replace seven residence halls.

Read the story

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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