South Court
Site: South side of campus, off of Keller Road
Construction began : February, 1946, but due to WWII, steel was not available until fall.
Completed: April, 1948
Architects: Carneal & Johnston
Size: 38,507 square feet
In 1945, the construction of a new women’s residence hall was approved. As enrollments increased in Richmond and Westhampton College over the years dormitory space became an issue. In 1944, two fraternity houses were turned into housing for women; and women were housed in Thomas Hall. Even so, some students were turned away due to a lack of available rooms.
When it opened in April, 1948 the new building, named South Court, would house approximately 119 students. It contained 42 double rooms, 10 triple rooms, and five singles for students. Every two rooms on the first and second floor were connected by a private bath. The third floor had two “public” baths. There were parlors on the first floor for entertaining visitors, a kitchen, a supply room, housekeeper’s quarter, etc. Each floor had two phones for the use of the residents. There were two suites, one for the Dean of the College and the other for the Dormitory Director.
The full basement housed five classrooms, a recreation room and an art room. A tower room served as an additional recreation room.
The building was renovated in 1977, and 1988. Basement classrooms were converted to rooms for students. In 2003 the building was converted to a residence hall for men and air conditioned.
Sources:
Alley, Reuben E. History of the University of Richmond, 1830-1971
UR website
Collegian 1946 - 1948