Carolina North campus extension latest beneficial construction project

Set to break ground in 2027, the Carolina North campus extension is a generational investment for the University. But other campus construction projects have also helped Carolina fulfill its mission:

Bell Hall, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

On Nov. 7, 2025, Carolina celebrated the grand opening of Bell Hall, a state-of-the-art building that doubles UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s space for learning, student life and community engagement. Bell Hall started housing classes this semester. (Jeyhoun Allebaugh/University Development)

Named in honor of Steven D. Bell ’67, the building opened in January 2026. Its four levels will allow the school to double the number of undergraduate students it enrolls. The striking 146,206-square-foot structure features:

• Innovative classrooms with advanced technology
• Sustainable design and building practices that reduce energy use, prioritize green space and light and incorporate nature
• Collaborative spaces to foster community
• Areas to convene and reflect that focus on health and well-being

Roper Hall, UNC School of Medicine

Roper Hall opened in fall 2023 on the historical site of Berryhill Hall. Roper Hall features exciting medical simulation technology and was carefully planned to support academic and clinical excellence, active learning, wellness and a holistic student experience. (Andrew Bounds/University Development)

Roper Hall, a cutting-edge training facility that replaced Berryhill Hall in 2023, expanded and enhanced Carolina’s medical education and created resources for other health affairs schools. In 2016, North Carolinians approved the Connect NC bond, with $68 million allotted for Roper Hall. The 172,000 square-foot structure is securing medical care for North Carolina’s growing and aging population.

Roper Hall’s six floors house lectures, seminars, working groups and independent study. The 400-seat Active Learning Theater hosts team-based learning and events. Students train in simulated operating, hospital, exam and urgent care rooms. The building also has spaces for socializing, informal learning and well-being.

Murray and Venable halls, UNC College of Arts and Sciences

Venable and Murray Halls (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Opening in 2010, Venable Hall and Murray Hall combined with Chapman Hall, Kenan Laboratories, Morehead Laboratories and Caudill Laboratories to give Carolina some of America’s most advanced science research laboratories. More than 3,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students annually take classes in the two buildings.

Construction on the site of old Venable Hall was supported by the 2000 higher education bond referendum. The science complex houses the W.R. Kenan Chemistry Library, laboratories, classrooms, lecture halls, conference rooms and areas for applied physical sciences and the marine sciences department.

Faculty from chemistry, physics and astronomy, mathematics, computer science and marine sciences helped plan the buildings.

Student and Academic Services Buildings

Scenes from the south campus pathway adjacent to the Student and Academic Services Building South on Nov. 7, 2023. (Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)

SASB North and SASB South were built on the site of the original Chase Hall in 2007, consolidating many services that are crucial to student life, wellness and academics.

Located in the southeast section of campus, the two four-story buildings contain offices for Carolina Housing, Center for Student Success, Student Affairs, University Cashier, University Registrar, Scholarships and Student Aid and more. An expanded Military and Veteran Student Success Center opened there in 2025.

The UNC National Pan-Hellenic Council Legacy Plaza in the SASB courtyard honors the contributions of Carolina’s nine NPHC fraternities and sororities.

Memorial Hall

Attendees entering the Herbie Hancock show at Memorial Hall on Sept. 24, 2024. (Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

In 2005, additions turned 75-year-old Memorial Hall into a world-class venue and helped launch Carolina Performing Arts. New construction included a 22,000-square-feet, 86-foot high stagehouse, doubled the stage’s size and added lighting, air conditioning, seating, catwalk, dressing rooms and more.

Since then, Carolina Performing Arts has:

• Reached 100,000+ unique households​ and 50,000+ students​ through performances, workshops, classroom visits and more
• Presented 550+ artists from more than 40 countries and territories in 900+ performances
• Produced 80 commissioned works​
• Presented 40 world premieres​

Bingham and Avery halls

The academic building on Polk Place (left) and the Ridge Road residence hall (right) reopened at the start of the school year after renovations. (Andrew Lam and Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill)

On a historic campus, it’s important to improve older buildings where the next generations learn and live. That’s what happened in 2025.

Built in 1925, Bingham Hall underwent its first-ever comprehensive renovation. The work gave faculty, staff and students technologically enhanced classrooms, new electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, central heat and air, wider hallways and other modern amenities.

Renovations at Avery Residence Hall, built in 1958, included new air conditioning, upgraded electrical and heating systems, replacement windows and many accessibility upgrades.

Learn more about the renovations.

Other recent renovations

• Carrington Hall, UNC School of Nursing (ongoing)
• Genome Sciences Building
• Marsico Hall

Work continues on the Carrington Hall renewal/construction of the Nursing Education Building. (March 25 screenshot from construction livestream.)