The University of Colorado Boulder broke ground today on a $57 million expansion of the Imig Music Building that will enhance the College of Music’s standing as a national leader as it kicks off a second century of excellence in teaching and research.
The 64,000-square-foot addition to the south end of the Imig building is slated to open in time for the fall 2020 semester, coinciding with the College of Music’s 100th anniversary.
“Our College of Music continues to elevate CU Boulder and its students, and we are fortunate to be a launching point for incredible musicians,” Chancellor Philip DiStefano said. “With spaces devoted to entrepreneurship, wellness, music technology and interdisciplinary collaboration, the College of Music will be able to maintain its forward-thinking attitude, keeping innovation at the heart of education.”
DiStefano and other guests, joined students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members in officially kicking off construction of the new addition. Work began in January to demolish a small portion of the south wing of the Imig building to make way for the new three-story addition along Wardenburg Drive.
“This new facility will inspire the highest levels of artistry and discovery at the College of Music,” Shay said. “I am so proud of where we are today and where we’re headed in the future.”
Features of the addition include a state-of-the-art recording studio, dedicated suites for the Entrepreneurship Center for Music and Musicians’ Wellness Program, new classroom space, acoustically tuned practice rooms, and work and studio space for faculty and staff. Innovative rehearsal halls that convert to performance spaces, help strengthen the college’s deep ties to the community as a beacon for the arts.
The addition marks a major step toward consolidating College of Music programming into one facility, creating increased opportunities for collaboration across departments as the choral department relocates from Macky Auditorium into the new space. The addition also includes space for the Theatre and Dance department, providing a dance studio, changing rooms and a theatre classroom.
Thanks to the generous giving of the music community, the College of Music is well on its way to its fund-raising goal for the addition, even as the broader music+ campaign continues to work with benefactors and industry partners who are interested in supporting the college’s world-class programs and musicians.
“The groundbreaking is a very visible opportunity to acknowledge so much meaningful work,” said Roser, the music+ campaign chair. “We are so thankful to the community for making this joyful moment possible. When all of Imig opens next year, the new spaces will enhance CU Boulder musicians’ opportunities as they continue to impact humanity through their art.”
The design team for the building is led by Pfeiffer Partners Architects Inc., while the general contractor is Adolfson and Peterson Construction. David Kahn of Acoustic Distinctions is serving as the acoustician on the project.
Aligning with CU Boulder’s sustainability values, the Imig expansion incorporates construction practices and building features aimed at achieving at least LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council.