About

The renovated Sanford Hall, built in 1968, houses the Department of English and features improved classrooms and larger offices, as well as more common areas and collaborative workspace for students. The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, which also had been in the building, will remain in the renovated L.S. Dougherty Hall, where it moved during summer 2019.

Before its renovation, Sanford Hall was structurally sound and met the basic safety codes established in the late 1960s, but it needed renovation to outdated HVAC, electrical and fire suppression systems, air conditioning, classrooms and office space. The $18 million renovation is expected to extend the life of the building by as much as 40 years.

An architectural rendering of the renovated Sanford Hall. Image courtesy of LS3P Associates.

The 71,000-square-foot redesigned Sanford Hall contains 25 classrooms, including this one pictured. All window panes in the building were replaced, opening up views that for years were obstructed by window air conditioning units. Photo by Marie Freeman

The newly renovated Sanford Hall features collaborative workspace for students and classroom configurations to allow for lecture- or interactive-style classes. The building accommodates an average of 4,600 students per day — 23,000 students per week. Photo by Marie Freeman

Sanford Hall’s new dual elevator tower overlooks Sanford Mall and provides views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Photo by Marie Freeman

A seminar room in the newly renovated Sanford Hall. The building will house the Department of English and features improved classrooms and larger offices, as well as more common areas and collaborative workspace for students. Photo by Marie Freeman

Signage on Sanford Hall’s new exterior elevator tower, with B.B. Dougherty Administration and spring buds in the background. The university held a reopening ceremony for the building after its $18 million renovation March 25. Photo by Marie Freeman

Sanford Hall on March 17 after an $18 million renovation to its interior and exterior. Photo by Marie Freeman

The entrance to Sanford Hall March 11, with fresh sod on the ground and building signage on the new exterior elevator shaft. Interior renovation included updating HVAC, electrical and fire suppression systems, air conditioning, classrooms and office space as part of the $18 million renovation. Click on the image for a full view. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The nearly complete entrance to Sanford Hall Feb. 26. Interior renovation included updating HVAC, electrical and fire suppression systems, air conditioning, classrooms and office space as part of the $18 million renovation. Click on the image for a full view. Photo by Chase ReynoldsThe nearly complete entrance to Sanford Hall Feb. 26. Interior renovation included updating HVAC, electrical and fire suppression systems, air conditioning, classrooms and office space as part of the $18 million renovation. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The nearly complete entrance to Sanford Hall Feb. 17. Interior renovation included updating HVAC, electrical and fire suppression systems, air conditioning, classrooms and office space. Furniture installation on bottom floors has begun. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The nearly complete entrance to Sanford Hall Feb. 17. Interior renovation included updating HVAC, electrical and fire suppression systems, air conditioning, classrooms and office space. Furniture installation on bottom floors has begun. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sanford Hall as of Feb. 10 as the project nears completion. Photo by Marie Freeman

Sanford Hall’s new facade and elevator shaft Jan. 27. Photo by Marie Freeman

Sanford Hall’s new facade and elevator shaft Jan. 21. Photo by Marie Freeman

Sanford Hall’s new facade and elevator shaft Dec. 17. Classrooms and common areas on the first floor are expected to open for spring 2021 classes. Photo by Marie Freeman

Sanford Hall’s new facade and elevator shaft Dec. 9. Classrooms and common areas on the first floor are expected to open for spring 2021 classes. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sanford Hall’s new facade and elevator shaft Dec. 2. Classrooms and common areas on the first floor are expected to open for spring 2021 classes. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sanford Hall’s new facade and elevator shaft in the morning light Dec. 2. Photo by Chase Reynolds

An interior space of Sanford Hall photographed in November. Photo courtesy of Business Affairs

Some of Sanford Hall’s 464 new windows installed for energy savings, as seen from the building’s interior in November. Photo courtesy of Business Affairs

One of the renovated restrooms in Sanford Hall, as of November. Photo courtesy of Business Affairs

Plaza and sidewalk installation underway Nov. 25 at the entrance of Sanford Hall. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Construction at Sanford Hall as of Nov. 25. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sanford Hall renovations as of Nov. 11. Click on the image for a full view. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sanford Hall renovations as of Nov. 5. Photo by Chase Reynolds

A close-up image taken Nov. 5 of Sanford Hall’s new glass façade and concrete work in progress. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Progress on Sanford Hall’s new façade and exterior elevator shafts as of Oct. 21. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation to Sanford Hall as of Oct. 1, with work on the exterior elevator shafts continuing. Photo by Chase Reynolds

A close-up image taken Sept. 23 of construction on Sanford Hall’s façade and new elevator shafts. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation to Sanford Hall as of Sept. 16, with work on the exterior elevator shafts underway. Photo by Marie Freeman

Renovation to Sanford Hall as of Sept. 9, with brick facing on the new elevator shafts underway. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation progress on Sanford Hall as of Sept. 3, with the new elevators shafts visible in the foreground. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation progress on Sanford Hall as of Aug. 13. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation in progress at Sanford Hall, as of Aug. 5. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation in progress at Sanford Hall, as of July 29. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation in progress at Sanford Hall, as of July 15. Photo by Marie Freeman

Workers remove and replace the exterior caulking on Sanford Hall on July 15. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Renovation in progress at Sanford Hall, as of June 30. Photo by Marie Freeman

Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts listens as Nick Katers, associate vice chancellor for facilities management, gives her an update June 30 on the status of Sanford Hall renovation while inside the building. Listening at right is John Blackburn, chair of Appalachian’s Board of Trustees. Photo by Marie Freeman

Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management Nick Katers leads a group tour through Sanford Hall June 30, beginning with Chancellor Sheri Everts. Photo by Marie Freeman

Chancellor Sheri Everts overlooks Sanford Mall, a common gathering place on campus, from the elevator tower under construction at Sanford Hall. Photo by Marie Freeman

Looking at drawings inside the Sanford Hall renovation June 30 are, from left, Jeff Pierce, director of planning, design and construction; John Blackburn, chair of Appalachian’s Board of Trustees; Chancellor Sheri Everts; and Nick Katers, associate vice chancellor for facilities management. Photo by Marie Freeman

Drywall installation underway in Sanford Hall, as of June 30. The window side will be part of individual faculty office space, with each new office being larger than before the renovation. Photo by Marie Freeman

Above-ceiling installation of wiring underway in a fourth-floor classroom, as of June 30. Photo by Marie Freeman

Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management Nick Katers and Chancellor Sheri Everts on Sanford Hall’s fifth floor, in space to be completed in the final phase of the renovation project. Photo by Marie Freeman

Chancellor Sheri Everts has her temperature taken by a medical officer employed by Vannoy Construction upon entering the Sanford Hall worksite June 30. This practice is among daily health and safety precautions underway at the site. Photo by Marie Freeman

Renovation in progress at Sanford Hall, as of April 22. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Steel framing of Sanford Hall’s new elevators shafts, as of April 22. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Progress on the framing for Sanford Hall's exterior elevator shafts, as of March 31. Photo by Marie Freeman

Progress on the exterior of Sanford Hall, as of March 26. Photo by Marie Freeman

Delivery of construction materials at Sanford Hall on March 26. Photo by Marie Freeman

Construction underway on the footers for Sanford Hall’s two exterior elevators, as of March 17. Photo by Marie Freeman

Renovation in progress at Sanford Hall, as of March 4. Photo by Marie Freeman

Construction underway on footers for Sanford Hall’s two exterior elevators, as of Feb. 19. Photo by Marie Freeman

Interior framing as part of the Sanford Hall renovation, as of Feb. 19. Photo by Marie Freeman

Looking at blueprints with Director of Design and Construction Jeff Pierce, far right, are from left Department of English Chair Leonardo Flores, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Neva Specht, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulbert Norris and Chancellor Sheri Everts. Photo by Marie Freeman

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Status

A small gathering of university leadership, members of App State’s Board of Trustees and others from the Appalachian Community celebrated Sanford Hall’s reopening with a ceremony held March 25, 2021.

In spring semester 2021, the first four floors of the 71,000-square-foot building were completed. The fifth floor, which houses offices and meeting room space, opened in early August 2021. The first phase of renovations included the following:

• Addition of air conditioning and a fire suppression system.
• Replacement of approximately 450 panes of glass for energy efficiency savings.
• Redesign of office spaces and classrooms.
• Creation of a new lecture hall, a large reception area and three specially designed film screening rooms.
• Complete replacement of the building’s electrical and mechanical systems, IT infrastructure and fire alarm system.
• Installation of a double elevator system, replacing the former single elevator.
• Addition of stone veneer and masonry work on the exterior, as well as landscaping and hardscaping.

The renovation work began with the replacement of 464 windows for energy savings and continued with the interior framing of 53 faculty and adjunct offices, 25 classrooms and a computer lab, followed by electrical and plumbing work. Stone veneer and masonry work on the existing building was completed during summer 2020, and in fall 2020 brick masonry continued on the two elevator shafts that were added to the building.

The UNC Board of Governors authorized $18 million for the project in October 2018. LS3P Associates and Stanford White Engineering were selected for the project’s design. Work on the building began in summer 2019 and was completed in summer 2021.

How is it funded?

The North Carolina General Assembly’s House Bill 1054, which unanimously passed on June 14, 2018, lets Appalachian take on self-liquidating debt for the project.

Who will benefit?

Every student at Appalachian takes at least one class in Sanford Hall. The building accommodates 4,600 students per day — 23,000 students per week. The building also is used by area high school students participating in Upward Bound and GEAR UP college access programs.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

Providing the best environment for teaching and learning, particularly for first-year students, can impact recruitment and retention.