About this project

Strada’s master plan for West Virginia University’s Evansdale Campus identified the need for a new programmatic element at the center of the campus—a “connector” building for meeting, learning, and socializing where a natural crossroads already existed. The new building sits at a critical intersection of various campus quadrants as well as the main PRT station, and serves as both a vertical and horizontal connection across the hilly campus.

When Strada teamed with private developer Fresh Hospitality in 2012, “Evansdale Crossing” quickly morphed from a simple stair and elevator tower designed to traverse the challenging topography into a five-story, 100,000-SF mixed-use social hub. As predicted, the building has blossomed into a vibrant gathering place that brings students, faculty, and the larger community together at the heart of several academic and recreational districts.

Evansdale Crossing contains a one-stop student service center, a bookstore, the cutting-edge Media Innovation Center for WVU’s Reed College of Media, and several craft restaurants with interior and exterior gathering spaces. A rooftop lounge on the fifth floor forms the backdrop of a high-energy “living room” with stunning views of the surrounding campus and mountains beyond. By weaving together academic functions and student services as well as dining options, social spaces, and a transit stop, this hybrid building is quickly becoming the core of the WVU Evansdale Campus.

Some interior photos courtesy of Reed College of Media.