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University Communications

University of Richmond to Purchase Former Reynolds Metals Headquarters from Alcoa

August 27, 2001

University of Richmond has reached an agreement in principle with Alcoa to purchase the former Reynolds Metals Executive Office Building and approximately 35 acres of surrounding land, located at the intersection of West Broad St., Glenside Rd. and Interstate 64.

University President William E. Cooper has appointed a task force of faculty, students and administrators chaired by Provost June R. Aprille to recommend the best use of the property.

Priority will be given to purposes that are compatible with the overall academic mission of the university and preservation of the architecturally significant building and grounds, Cooper said. He emphasized that the university's full-time residential undergraduate enterprise would remain housed on the main campus.

Neither the appraised value nor the purchase price will be announced, but the two parties have confirmed that the transaction involves a significant cash component from the university and a sizeable gift component from Alcoa.

The 250,000 square-foot Executive Office Building, designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft, opened in 1958 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It incorporates nearly 1.4 million pounds of aluminum.

Renowned landscape designer Charles Gillette created the adjacent grounds. He also designed several gardens on the university's campus, located about two miles southwest of the property.